~Chapter 13~
Rapunzel
Lachlan was found in the front hall approaching me with a ferocity in his stride. I had never seen the man so angry before. This man was my uncle, but it was still hard to see him as such.
"Lady Alivia! Where have you been?"
"O-Out," I shrugged.
"All night? Alone?" He accused.
I glared trying to summon my inner authority.
"I was with my tutor, so lay off! It is none of your business."
"Flynn Rider should be whipped for such insolence."
"He merely was following my orders," I lied, "if anybody should be punished, let it fall on me."
Lachlan pinched the bridge of his nose exhaling sharply.
"Very well, my lady. Worry not. You're here now, so you best tend to your father."
"He's back already?" I questioned, "Did he get the flower?"
"No," Lachlan said quickly, "Come quickly!" He ordered.
Clearly concerned for his brother, he pulled me along not commenting on my disheveled appearance after being outside for the night.
After opening the door to my father's chambers, I went inside as Lachlan followed close behind. Lord Conwyn had barely been gone a day and by the looks of him, I'd wager obtaining this flower was hardly worth it. Dark circles hung around his eyes as his cheeks were red and blushed with frost. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow as he breathed heavily. I brought my hand to his forehead which indicated a high fever.
"Come, come now, Alivia, your father needs you!" Lachlan pressed.
I wrapped my hair around his forehead and promptly began to sing. Moments later, a knock was heard as Lachlan allowed Flynn into the room with water. Conwyn's eyes fluttered open as he looked instantly improved with the dark circles to his eyes gone along with the fever. I stepped back as my father appeared disoriented and grew angry as he looked around.
"Who brought me back? I was nearing the moonflower!" He bellowed with weakened energy.
Flynn offered him the water glass, which he swiped from the tray he held. We all watched curiously as Lachlan stepped forward.
"Your men brought you back due to your injuries. Alivia healed you." Lachlan explained.
Lord Conwyn acknowledged me with a slight nod, but I didn't even get a thanks from him, not that I should have expected that.
"I must go back, that flower is practically in my hands." Conwyn muttered.
"Brother-"
"If anyone argues with me, I'll have them horsewhipped,"
His eyes were mad with a frustrated fury I had never witnessed before. We all fell silent as my father sat up in the bed.
"Prepare a party once more and pack for Alivia as she will come too. She can heal as needed."
All three of us stood there surprised by this plan most especially me.
"Lachlan have her ready within a half hour, I want to set off again as soon as possible." Conwyn ordered.
Lachlan wanted to argue, but held his tongue and quickly left the room.
"Father I wish you would just stay put and rest." I said.
"Silence!" He snapped, "This journey will give us time to get to know one another."
He slowly extended his hand out toward me gesturing for me to grasp it. Reluctantly I did so as he patted the top of my hand awkwardly.
"I wish to have a relationship with you my daughter."
A relationship with forced bonding wasn't exactly the start I'd ever have in mind.
"Does that make you happy?" He asked.
I nodded. Flynn refilled father's water glass as he was ordered to ready the horses to depart.
"My Lord," Flynn said before he left, "Might I come along? I wish to protect you both as I am skilled with a blade."
Conwyn glared at the sudden outburst as I nervously held my breath unsure of how he would respond, but slowly nodded as I exhaled quietly.
"Agreed Rider, my daughter should have solid protection detail. Pack up and we'll meet you at the stables."
Flynn nodded and quickly left the room and I was ordered to have Evangeline get me prepared for the trip. Dressing quickly in thick fur lined garments and tight leather boots, the last thing she managed was fixing my hair for the journey. The fur clothes were sweltering especially getting them on indoors. Evangeline escorted me to the stables where father, Lachlan, and Flynn along with other guards were waiting for me. As I approached, I heard Lachlan arguing over the fact that Flynn was coming.
"Brother, do you know where Flynn was last night? Out all night with-"
"Enough Lachlan, I need a strong man for protection and Flynn will do the job."
"Very well, my lord." He muttered shutting down.
Conwyn grabbed his brother's shoulder.
"Steward again until my return. I know you'll do me proud in my absence."
"Of course, brother." Lachlan muttered.
The lot of us mounted horses as I pulled myself into Max's saddle and we took off heading to Odonrora in the north. I didn't know what to expect, but judging by how father returned, I knew this journey wasn't going to be pleasant.
Riding to the harbor was step one and our party was quiet all the way there. My father led the way forward and he maintained a grueling pace for all of us to match. He was dangerously ill not even an hour ago, the man had a plethora of stamina. Townsfolk of Ravadyn watched us ride by on our way to the harbor looking at us all curiously. Many of these people I had healed in the time since I had arrived and now I was leaving again. I could only hope my healing wouldn't be needed while I was away. A similar ship that I arrived on was waiting for us in the harbor. Lord Conwyn saluted the captain as he rode his horse up the plank onto the ship. The rest of our party followed suit and dismounted once we were on deck. Flynn parked his horse beside Max as we both stared out on the horizon as the ship drifted away from the harbor. I did see some shapes and silhouettes of other ships floating nearby. I knew they weren't fishing boats, but looked quite large. Father walked up behind me and noticed my fascination gazing out on the still water.
"Seems to be many ships sailing today, but I don't think they're out fishing." I said.
"Those are more of my ships Alivia," Father answered.
"Oh, why are they all sailing today?"
"Leave it alone, it's not of your concern."
I pursed my lips as Flynn watched me carefully as father asked for my attention.
"The journey by ship is a brief one as Odonrora is just a short distance north." Father said, "But be aware that everything on the continent is different. A unique cold that grips you to your bones, no amount of proper dressing can prepare you for it."
"That's why you had Evangeline dress me in such thick clothes?"
"We have to stick together as there are beasts who hunt the territory of Odonrora. I don't know if they merely guard the flower or what, but they picked off a few men from my last party. We must be quick, silent, and safe, is that understood?"
I nodded as father walked away to address the other guards in our party. I exhaled a heavy sigh as I could feel Pascal moving around hidden behind my neck for his safety. I didn't dare let him sit on my shoulder for fear of my father or anyone finding him. Remaining quiet and trying to keep my calm, I stood beside Max and patted his snout as he pressed his head against mine trying to comfort me. Animals were smart and this horse knew I was upset. I took in a few deep breaths as Flynn grabbed my shoulder.
"It's going to be okay, Rapunzel. Lord Conwyn has made the journey before, so there should be no surprises."
I sniffled nodding my head in agreement, but I couldn't help this sense of fear building inside me.
"I know you're right, but I'm just worried about people risking themselves for this flower. It hardly seems worth it."
Flynn regarded me with compassion and he tried to tell a joke to lighten the mood. I loved jokes, but I didn't get his. Trying to distract me nonetheless and I appreciated it more than he knew.
It was nice traveling on a ship when I could enjoy the view from up on deck vs treated like a piece of cargo locked within a hold down below. Even with all the other ships I spotted just now, the water was still and smooth looking much like a sea of glass. The ship cut through like a knife, but within an hour of heading north, chunks of ice were found in the water some of which would hit the side of the ship.
"Could those sink us?" I asked Flynn nervously.
"If they were large enough and if we hit them directly." Flynn answered.
I looked at him biting my lip and he just smiled.
"Don't worry, Blondie, any ship captain knows how to steer a ship safely. Your father hires only the best."
"It would be nice if we didn't have to hit each ice chunk though," I replied with gritted teeth. I found I needed to grab the side railing as more ice jerked the ship this way and that. I noticed a large dip in temperature the further we sailed. Pascal burrowed himself into the thick of my hair at the nape of my neck still remaining out of sight as I pulled up my hood. The cold hit me like a sharp knife. My father had some men build a small, contained fire for him right here on deck. Why didn't he build one large enough for everyone? People could get sick with this cold. No chances should be taken.
"Alivia, come join me. We should talk." My father beckoned.
I glanced at Flynn before joining my father beside the fire feeling the heat on my cheeks as I got close enough. He pulled up at chair right beside him offering it to me. I sat down thanking him for the seat. Silence fell between us as I stretched out my gloved hands toward the flames feeling my numbness dissipate.
"Alivia, do you really have nothing to say to me?" Father snapped.
I looked at him curiously.
"Have I upset you? I'm sorry." I said quickly wanting to do anything to quell his apparent anger. It felt like I couldn't do anything right when I was around the man. He cleared his throat gruffly glancing at me.
"I have just learned of your existence. Don't you wish to get to know me?"
"Well, of course, but relationships take time. This can't exactly be forced."
"Nonsense." He laughed, "Ask me anything you wish within reason, of course,"
The man was so hot and cold. I never knew what to expect and that always made me feel so on edge in his presence, but at least we weren't alone. Lord Conwyn was a different man amongst mixed company.
"How did you meet my mother?"
"When I was a younger man, I was passing through on my way to Corona and I spotted a beautiful woman walking alone in the woods. She wore a red cloak and held an ere of mystery about her that drew me in."
"Did you love her?" I asked curiously.
"What does romance have to do with this?" He snapped, "Our relationship gave us you, Alivia, so the Conwyn line will carry on and what a legacy it will be."
"Why do you want the moonflower?" I asked, changing the subject, "The journey so far already seems treacherous as you barely made it home last time. It hardly seems worth it."
Father glared furiously as he stamped to his feet.
"If your healing wasn't so vital to this journey, I'd left you at home with an attitude like that, Alivia."
His outburst startled me as I held my breath nervously. I could see Flynn out my peripherals and he had moved much closer towards us, though still maintaining distance.
"I-I'm sorry, I just wish to understand." I muttered.
Father pinched the bridge of his nose promptly returning to his seat as he grabbed my hand nearly making me jump.
"The moonflower is one of legend. Anyone who calls on its power will be granted a power for conquest to bring down any enemy. Corona is our enemy and King Frederic has never been a strong king. I wish to summon power that even he can't ignore. Corona will fall at my hand and that will be my legacy as the next king."
His plan scared me to my core. The man was short tempered and impatient, but he wanted to declare war with any otherwise peaceful kingdom like Corona. My first instinct was to stop this, but I had no idea how. I distracted him with other questions all about him and his life and he was more than happy to boast in his accomplishments.
Father regailed me on many of his stories from his growing up and his rise to power in Ravadyn. I didn't pay too much attention really, but nodded politely. After what seemed like hours, the ship's captain silenced him.
"Land hoe! Odonrora spotted off the starboard side, my lord."
Everyone gathered up against the railing gazing upon the large landmass before us. I remained by the fire as Flynn joined me.
"Stay warm as long as you can," He nodded.
"Sit with me?"
"I don't think I'm allowed to sit, but I'll stand. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere."
The captain cruised the ship into the closest cove. There was no dock or sign of people, which wasn't a welcoming sign to be here. As the ship halted into the cove, father ordered Flynn to put out the fire as we were to mount our horses. Flynn obeyed and the moment the fire went out, the cold was excruciating. The winds had picked up since stopping in the cove. A few crewman put down the gangplank for getting off the ship and I honestly didn't want to go. My only purpose here was to heal anybody who needed it, which by the weather alone, I'd say I had my work cut out for me. There was a reason the flower was difficult to get to and that was a red flag right there. I walked over to Maximus patting his snout as I climbed back into the saddle. My joints ached with every movement. Father led the way forward off the ship as the rest of us followed. Flynn matched my pace as we climbed the snowy path up from the cove rising in a steep incline.
Maximus was having difficulty with the climb as were the rest of the horses. The slick, icy nature of the path made each of the hooves slide with each step. Father charged forward seemingly undeterred by the terrain, but his horse was snorting fiercely, which told me it was still difficult. Rising above where we docked at the cove, the view from on top these cliffs on Odonrora was mesmerizing. The sea down below us and the picturesque view of the sun going down on the horizon. It was a view that I wanted to paint and I stopped briefly to let Max catch his breath..
"Would you look at that," Flynn commented taken aback by the view as well.
"Long way from Corona, huh?"
"Don't see views like this every day," He nodded.
Father stopped when he realized that we did.
"Stop gawking at the landscape, I want to find this flower before sundown."
It made no sense how a flower could grow in such a frigid place such as this, though a magical one could. I didn't know how close we were to our goal, but I knew father would be put out by the fact that we would have to make up camp soon without much progress. As far as the eye could see, there was a vast open landscape with sparse pine trees, but not much else. A thunderous sound was heard nearby that sounded like a waterfall, which surprised me that it could still flow with the freezing temperatures. The further we went, the thicker a mist began to surround us barely being able to see even ten feet outside our party, which made me unnerved. The cold winds were making my eyes water, which dripped down my cheeks only adding to feeling numb.
"Everything from here forward is new to me, so stay alert." Father said.
He must have not made it far on the last trip here before falling ill, which is why he needed me to come along.
As it started to grow dark the howling of a wolf was heard. Father paid it no mind, but Flynn and the other guards looked around cautiously. Twilight was upon us and soon the light would be gone.
"Father, we should stop and make camp," I called out.
He didn't answer, so I moved closer toward him from where I was in the back of our formation.
"What are you doing?" Father snapped, impatiently.
"We're losing light."
"Don't you think I know that, I just need to make it farther before setting up camp tonight. I don't even see any signs of a flower. Your mother lied to me."
"It will be easier in full daylight too. Don't give up."
"Until I've scoured every bit of this land, I'm not giving up. Are you also so cheerful, Alivia?"
"I guess so," I shrugged.
Moments later something bolted out in front of the horses. I blinked once and it was gone making the horses and all of us more on edge. It must have been some sort of animal.
"Let's keep moving at least a hundred more yards inland," Father directed.
As we resumed pressing forward, I heard Flynn call out behind me.
"My lord, the ground seems unstable. I suggest we continue on foot for less weight."
The animal leapt out with a loud growl gnashing its teeth stirring up the horses. It circled around Maximus as he began to buck leaving me to grip onto Max's neck for dear life. Max took off in full gallop as I tried to slow him down, but he ignored my commands. The animal weaved in and out around the mist all around me still trying to make a meal out of Max and I. Behind us the snowy terrain was breaking off in bits leaving a deep chasm behind us. Flynn was unexpectedly chasing right behind me on Max's tail avoiding the broken holes surrounding us. The wolf disappeared into the mists as I tried hard to calm Maximus down. Flynn pulled alongside us and then ahead of us.
"Pull harder on the reins, Rapunzel!" Flynn called out to me.
I did as he asked biting my lip nervously.
"Woah Max, easy boy!"
I patted his neck as soon his gallop slowed to a trot and finally a stop. Flynn stopped as we did and I brought my hand to my chest feeling the speed of my heart. Flynn looked at me head to toe assessing for injuries.
"You alright?"
"Sure," I nodded with a shrug.
It was dark now and Flynn lit on fire a broken tree branch found on the ground nearby with some flint he had packed for the journey. The path behind us was broken up and we couldn't go back the way we came. Separated from the rest of our party. Flynn and I were alone.