DG recalled the last time she woke up under the stars. It was just before the defeat of the vanquishing of the witch. She'd gotten up, scoped out the situation, and inspired her friends to be courageous, smart, and resourceful. This time, though, DG felt like she might be the one in need of those things. Glitch had found her out, so someone must know.
"Breakfast?" Cain said when he noticed DG was awake. "It's not much, but we can pick up supplies as we go."
DG took the plate he offered. An egg and a few strips of bacon. He poured her coffee. "Thanks. How far did we get last night?"
"Far enough. They'll be going the wrong way at first anyway."
"That's a bit underhanded."
"Well, so's this. Eat up. We've got a long day if you want to get to the Realm of the Unwanted by tomorrow night," Cain said.
"We're starting there?"
"I have some contacts that can help us."
OZOZOZ
Azkadellia reluctantly handed over Cain's letter to her mother. Ahamo sat stoically beside his wife. Despite being busy all the time getting the OZ back in order, they knew all that went on and they were more than well aware of DG's restlessness.
"She's finally run off, has she?" Ahamo said.
Azkadellia nodded. "Yes, Father. Mr. Cain has gone with her."
"Good," said the Queen. "She needs someone to curb her impulsiveness."
"You're not going after her?" Glitch said.
"No, Ambrose," the Queen said. He was only Glitch to Cain, DG, and Raw after getting his brain back together. "Wherever Cain says they've gone won't be where they are. There will be news. DG will write or Cain will leave word along the way. Thank you, Azkadellia."
Azkadellia picked at her breakfast. Her parents' reaction surprised her, but it was that same restlessness as DG's that was getting to her more.
"Princess?" Glitch said after breakfast was over.
"Yes, Ambrose?" She was moping about, but felt like doing little else.
"I thought you might like to get away for a bit. Well, your father thought you might want to get away for awhile that is. Um."
"What was he thinking about? A walk in the garden perhaps."
"No, well, rather he thought you might like a trip to the lake country, Finaqua perhaps if the memories from there wouldn't be too traumatic," Glitch said. He shuffled his feet around nervously.
"This was Father's idea and not yours." She considered that thought a moment. "When do we leave?"
Glitch smiled. "We? I, wow. I'm flattered you'd like me to come along. As soon as you would like, Princess Azkadellia." Glitch bowed low and with a flourish of his arm. Azkadellia couldn't help but laugh at the gesture.
"Do get up, Ambrose. I shall get ready immediately." She picked up her dress and began to run. "Thank you," she called over her shoulder.
Glitch blushed slightly.
OZOZOZ
"DG, hold up," Cain said putting his hand up to stop her.
"What is it?"
"Quiet." They listened intently. A branch snapped behind them. Cain pulled out his revolver and cocked it as silently as possible. He moved to put himself between DG and whatever was out there. "You can come out. We know you're there."
"Cain, what are you doing?" DG said in a whisper.
"What does it look like?" he answered. "Trying to keep you safe."
"By inviting who or whatever is following us into the open."
"If you have a better plan, then feel free."
"Well, no, but seriously? This can't end well," DG said.
"If you hadn't noticed, I have a gun. Now will you be quiet?"
"I feel safer talking." He looked over his shoulder at her.
"DG!" She motioned that her lips were zippered shut. Cain turned back to where he last heard the sound. "You can come out. It's safe."
More rustling came form the brush. Cain took aim just to be sure. A small brown and black dog trotted out.
"Toto?" DG said.
The dog changed into human form. "I apologize for startling you. Ahamo sent me to tell you that this endeavor is being fully supported by the royal family," Tutor said.
Cain was so in shock that DG had to reach around and lower the gun. "Sorry," Cain said.
"Think nothing of it, Mr. Cain. It's nice to know DG's safety is in good hands. Now, if you don't mind, I have to be on my way. I have an urgent message for Mr. Raw. I'll be sure to give him your greetings."
DG rushed over to Tutor and gave him a hug. "Stay safe, and tell my family thank you."
Tutor said he would. He nodded to Cain and changed back to dog form then ran off.
"We should go see Raw," DG said. Cain frowned. "After we go to the Realm of the Unwanted, of course."
Cain groaned. "You realize that's a security nightmare just getting there. It's rebel infested on top of all the other unseen dangers."
"Is that all you think about? Doesn't a visit with your friend even interest you in the slightest, Cain? Have a little fun sometime."
"I'll have fun when I know you're safe." Cain picked up his pack and started marching in the approximate direction they needed to go. DG quickly followed.
OZOZOZ
"Where is Ambrose?" the Queen asked at breakfast the next morning. Ahamo was reading the latest reports on the Rebellion. "And Azkadellia for that matter?"
"They've gone to Finaqua to take the air. Azkadellia asked to get out for a bit. Ambrose volunteered to escort her there with a small personal guard."
"We should go. It is empty around her without our daughters and their friends rattling around."
"Honey, it's empty with them here. That's what happens when you are forced to let go of half the staff. But, I think we best leave them for now. Az needs time to herself."
OZOZOZ
"How could you forget a tent?" DG was doing her best to stay close to the tree and avoid the downpour.
"I was in a hurry. One forgets things," Cain said. He'd given up on dry.
"I wish I at least had a raincoat."
"I wish you'd stop complaining. It could be worse." Cain took off his dripping hat and leaned it on the other side of the tree. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Don't say that or things will get worse. Murphy's Law," DG said.
"Who's Murphy?"
"Some guy. I don't know. But if you say it could be worse, it will be."
"Never took you for the superstitious sort." He motioned for her to move so he could scoot in closer to the tree. DG shifted.
"You're drenched. Why didn't you say?"
Cain shrugged. "I'll dry."
Something moved above them knocking down a fresh shower of water. Cain covered DG as best he could.
"Thanks," she said. "I might have been drier had you stayed away." She moved a few inches away.
"Get some sleep. Might as well do something useful while we're stuck here. I'll keep watch."
DG's feet were wet when she woke. Cain was snoring lightly beside her, his hat settled over his eyes. AT least the storm had let up. The sun was trying to peak between the clouds.
"Hey, Cain. It's morning."
He picked the hat off his face and sat up. "So it is. We should be going." He helped DG up. She tripped forward, her cold wet legs not quite wanting to working. Cain caught her. "You okay, Kid?"
DG righted herself. He shoes squelched as she regained her balance. "Never better. Lead on, preferably to somewhere dry."
"Are you going to be like this the whole time?"
"Are you?"
"DG," Cain said and stopped. DG squelched past him.
"C'mon, Cain. We have a schedule to keep. And, as it was yours, I'd like to keep it." She ran ahead forcing him to run to catch up.
They reached the edge of the wood just as the sun set.
"You didn't think to pack a flashlight or something did you?" DG asked. The field spread before them. Dark shadows form the forest loomed overhead.
"I did one better," Cain said. He pulled a lantern from the bottom of his pack and sparked it. It caught immediately. "We're going to have to wing it a bit, I'm afraid."
DG followed him through the waist high weeds. Cain led them mostly straight, the lantern light casting shadows every which direction courtesy of the moving flora.
"So much for finding this in daylight," DG said. "You sure you know where you're going?"
"I have a rough idea, but it's hard to tell with these shadows." Cain stopped to get his bearings. He looked behind them. "What do you think?"
DG couldn't see his eyes with his hat on, but she could make out enough of his expression to know he felt like they were near. She took a few steps forward and tripped.
"I think we're here," she said.
Cain found her standing over the wooden plank that hid the entrance to the Realm of the Unwanted. He handed her the lantern and then hoisted the plank.
"Princesses first," he said.
"I'd rather wait if that's okay with you."
Cain took back the lantern and let himself down. DG waited for the all clear to come down. Near the bottom her concentration slipped and she fell into the waiting Cain. He barely managed to stop falling himself from the sudden impact.
"You all right?"
"Yeah, I'm good. You can set me down now," DG said. Cain somewhat reluctantly (or DG felt) did so.
"I have a friend who will put us up for the night, give us some food and supplies. This next leg will be a long one."
"Information on Zero."
"DG, not everything is about Zero. What we're doing now isn't about Zero. If I remember correctly, it has a lot more to do with clearing Princess Azkadellia's name," Cain said as he put the lantern away.
"Zero's part of the reason I have to clear her name."
"So, indirectly, yes it is about Zero. Happy now?"
"No. My shoes are still squelchy."
"We'll get that fixed soon enough."
OZOZOZ
"Princess, may I ask a question?" Glitch said. They were on the more roundabout route from Central City to Finaqua, mainly because the main route had had a string of robberies in recent weeks. The back route held its own dangers, but they had better cover this way. No royalty would ever take it in the past.
"That was a question. But you may ask another. And do please stop with the formalities, Ambrose."
"Yes, sorry, Azkadellia. Habit, I suppose." Glitch sat silently for a moment, using his brain power to formulate. "You don't suppose sending Cain with DG was the wrong thing?" It wasn't the one he wanted to ask.
Azkadellia sighed. "She needs somebody along with her. I can't think of anyone better."
"It's just that she might take advantage in some way."
"Tsk. All the better. He's been alone much too long. Ironic that I feel the same and here I am going off on my own," Azkadellia said.
"Not entirely on your own. I mean, that is, you have an armed escort. And," he smiled and nodded his head to the side.
"And you?" She laughed. "I couldn't dream of a better traveling companion."
"Good. I wouldn't want you to be unhappy."
"At the moment, I don't think I am." She took his hand in hers. "I appreciate your concern. Should I ever be unhappy, I will let you know so you can use that brain of yours to cheer me right up."
Glitch's smile spread from ear to ear. "I hope to not disappoint, Princess Azkadellia." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it with the slightest of kisses.
She returned the smile.
TBC . . .