Rei stepped onto the sand colored concrete, making the travelers wonder how it was possible to make such a thing. They stepped in, passing the gates and watched as several of the guards stood stiffly. The guards didn't budge. They only blinked several of times and that was it. Makoto whispered to the black haired boy, wondering if it was safe for them to enter.
"It's ok, don't worry about it," They heard Rei.
Rei knocked on the huge doors and they opened. Haruka stared at the doors for a bit. They were made of wood. Wood was kind of expensive nowadays, but the doors were made out of it. That must've been expensive judging by the size of it. Makoto walked ahead of the black haired boy. Rei waited for them inside and they sat on a couch. The couch was definitely not from their country.
"What country did you guys come from?" Makoto asked while looking from side to side of all the mysterious objects they had.
"Well, our employer came from England. It's a place farther than our country," Rei explained.
"Wait...you're born here?" Makoto looked at Rei.
Rei blushed and pushed his glasses towards his face, "I'm a mix."
He gloomed as he said this. He didn't think being a mix was beautiful. In fact, people often mistook him for his ethnicity. Makoto and Haruka thought that this was strange, but Rei seemed alright (judging from their experience with the first guard that they had met). Rei positioned his hand towards the couch, urging the travelers to sit. The brown haired boy sat first. He was quite wary of the strange furniture, but liked it afterwards. Haruka sat a bit farther away from Makoto.
"So you have a question for me?" Rei looked at Haruka.
Haruka nodded, "Where is the source of water? It's been missing for a long time."
Rei jumped a bit. It reminded Haruka of Gou when she jumped when he mentioned about the water. Rei sighed. This was clearly not the topic he thought they were going for. He pushed his glasses upwards again. He hesitated for a bit and then spoke.
"The King's son is misusing the water," he replied.
Makoto and Haruka looked at each other. Their own prince would do such a thing? Haruka realized why Gou was so nervous. Her own brother was stealing the water. No wonder water had suddenly become so expensive and almost disappeared. Makoto couldn't believe it. No wonder Gou was acting awkwardly when Haruka asked her that question. Haruka stood up.
"I'm going to the palace." Haruka started to leave.
Rei stood up and watched the black haired boy leave. Makoto had stood up too.
"Are you coming with me?" Haruka looked at Makoto.
Makoto shook his head, "Not this time. Sorry. I'll meet up with you though."
Haruka ran out of the mansion almost as immediately as he came in. He ran towards his camel. The camel had gotten up quickly, seeing that its master was quick to leave. It started to run towards the direction its master had decided on as Haruka pulled on the reins. It would take approximately a couple more hours to reach the palace. If the camel would be able to go as quickly, it would take about 3 hours. But in between breaks, it would take a day. Haruka wanted to go as fast as he could, but after wearing his camel, they sat down and ended up resting for a bit. The sun had already set and Haruka's camel rested well. They left for the palace again. Instead, Haruka was in front, holding the reins of his camel and walked. The camel walked a bit farther away from him.
"We'll be there soon." Haruka murmured under his breath.
They continued to walk as the moon starts rising into the sky. They didn't take much breaks after that. Haruka felt his bones shudder as the cold wind blew at them, but he continued forward. After what seemed like forever, they had reached the gates of the palace.
