Chapter 4

sorry for the delay:P i was very busy.i hope you haven given up on me! please dnt.

enjoy this loong chapter and dnt forget to review please? reviews spur me on to continue writing:)!

Lucien

We had traveled for three days now and we finally arrived at Kingdom Causillas. Took a long time for that! We're thirsty, exhausted, and dirty. All we ever wanted was to find a decent inn to stay at for a day's rest before we move on again.

The sight that greeted us was not at all pleasant. It was chaotic. We had unfortunately stumbled upon a very busy day at the marketplace. The noise of the place was painful to my ears and I winced. I could feel a headache coming on. I closed my eyes for a moment to get adjusted to the pandemonium before me. The stalls were cluttered with their goods and the people were rushing about. The people! There were at least a few thousand of them. I groaned when I realized how long we would need to take before we could get our well-deserved rest.

" Should we find a inn sire, I mean sir?" Monty turned around to ask. He was a fellow with a bulky frame and a gruff voice, a 'bodyguard' appointed by my father to protect me, or shall I say supervise me. I told him time again that I do not need any protection but my father's choice proved wise. Throughout these few days of our travel, I had Monty pack my bags, feed my horses and run small errands for me. More of a maid than a bodyguard I should say. Well, no complains from me.

" I'm looking for one Monty…" My sentence trailed off when I heard Monty shout--

" Hey! Watch where you're going!"

I was distracted from my thoughts and glanced down only to see a young boy dressed in plain loose clothing, a crooked hat was rammed onto his head. He glared up at Monty with his piercing green eyes, stuck out his tongue and scooted off into the crowd. It was an amusing sight to see Monty being teased by a petite boy almost half his size.

We have no time to waste though; I turned around and informed them that by hook or by crook we have to get through this mess and find ourselves a room to stay for a day. With that like brave souls; we plunged into the sea of people before us.

" Mister! Mister! Sir!" a shout was heard in the near distance.

I spun my horse around to see the same boy again, jumping up and down in the middle of the crowd. He was waving his hands at… us? I believed he was trying to get our attention.

"Please go and settle this matter quickly, we are far too busy for his games." I said to Monty thinking that the boy, being poor, probably wanted to get some money for us to buy some food or something.

Unexpectedly, when Monty came back he told us some rather surprising news. It seemed as if the street urchin volunteered to be our guide to this kingdom. It was obvious that he thought we were a group of merchants as he even offered to show us how business is usually carried out in Kingdom Causillas.

I shook my head in disbelief. This street urchin had just solved our problem. Our identities could be under wraps. We would be merchants indeed. No harm playing along with him, I mused to myself.

I cleared my throat and said, " Monty, I believe we would need a guide. We'll provide the boy food and lodging if he's willing to show us the way around this place for a few days. And that includes locating a decent inn."

" Yes sir, as you wish. But I must warn you that you are playing a risk here. If he was a kind of thief or worse, a spy, we would be in danger." Monty replied.

I rolled my eyes emphatically and looked at him.

" Monty, my mind's made up. Don't be so suspicious and worried. We have the upper hand here. WE know who he is but HE does not."

With that cleared, Monty marched towards the boy and brought him towards us.

Alexandria

That stocky man whom I called out to actually responded and brought me straight up to his chief! I gulped and an ominous feeling loomed before me. I began to regret my impulsive action. Mother was right; I ALWAYS get into trouble in the most inconvenient moments.

I stood before the chief and he glanced down at him from his horse. I felt intimidated. His eyes seem to bore right through mine. It was as though he knew my real identity. I could imagine him revealing my identity in the middle of the marketplace. I would be humiliated. I could go down in history being the princess who had disgraced herself in front of all her people because she was running away from her responsibility to her kingdom. Drats, that would not sound pleasing to my father.

" What's your name?" the chief demanded.

" Alex, they called me Alex sir. I'm pleased to be of your acquaintance, and you are?" I answered meekly and cursed myself for my foolishness. Am I to be his servant? I just drove myself into a deep corner.

" Call me…Lord Cruz. You have offered your service to us and I have consented to your proposition. You are not to play any tricks whatsoever. A lie and you would face consequences beyond your imagination. We are not to be trifled with." He threatened.

Okay mister, what was all this about? Did he think I was a spy or a fraught? I have never been insulted nor spoken in this manner before.

" Look here Lord Cruz, I would rather play marbles then waste my time leading you on a merry go round ride. If you do not trust me, then why bother asking me for help?" I said.

I scanned their belongings and spotted swords among them. Compared to them, my dagger at my back seemed absolutely harmless. I'm dead, I'm so dead! He was going to kill me for my insolence.

" I did not ask for your help! You offered to help to begin with if I could so refresh your memory. We merchants do not have time for your senseless conversations. I want you to show us the way and that's it. No buts. Time is money, every second I spent arguing with you I lose money. Get it?" he shouted back.

Got it. Just one problem here, I tiptoed and craned my neck to see the way to Joe's inn. Did I mention he owns one as well? It's named the 'Dragon's Lair'. It's a splendid inn and the rates were extremely reasonable. The food was good as well, the shepherd's pie, mashed potatoes and roasted pig, mouth-watering food indeed.

" I can't actually see…" I said.

Lord Cruz looked at me as if I was a dwarf. His mouth broke into a grin. Mocking at me eh, I swear I would wipe it off his face! He gestured to Monty (the stocky fellow I bumped into) and without warning I screamed as I was lifted off the ground and propped onto Lord Cruz's horse. This was going to be one heck of a ride.