Posting 2 (unbeta-ed) chapters as my Christmas gift to readers. :) Thank you for the support. Enjoy reading.
June 18, 2017 Updates: Beta-read by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her. Thank you.
Title: Allulionne Keep
Inspired by: Chapter 33 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia
Word Count: 846
Rating: General
The journey to Lyrias took more than a week. I traveled light, took a handful of my personal guards with me, not bothering to prepare carriages, for they are slow and cumbersome. Besides, it is best to travel in a horseback, where any emergency might arise, and we can divide ourselves to confuse potential attackers or bandits, as there has been a few unconfirmed news that reached my ears lately which I have yet to tackle in the future. But that is another issue I will discuss with my brother when I get back.
I reviewed my travel routes and am quite familiar with these areas myself. Clarines has a lot of small outposts where we can stop and rest; even changing for fresh horses so that we will arrive in Lyrias at the shortest time possible. Sometimes we would even travel further, and I did not mind in the least spending a night or two in the forests. Sleeping on taverns and traveling inns are out of the question. I do not like to invite scrutiny. For the curious who sees us traveling in a group, we look just like a small contingent of soldiers serving the crown. And I am not fussy when it comes to camping; the mountains of Dunearn, forming a natural barrier around Lyrias, are lush, with some of the peaks snow-capped, and they have plenty of grassy knolls where we can sleep comfortably under the moonlight sky. But as we approach the familiar paths to the city, the temperatures steadily dropped and the forest floor were covered with thick snow.
After hard days of continued traveling, we arrived in our destination just when the sun has risen well enough over the horizon. As was customary, I tested the competency of the border guards in charge of the first of the surrounding protective walls of the ancient city. They were all fierce and suspicious of everything that crosses their line of sight. However, it's been awhile since I last visited and no one recognized my face. But I noted that my bearings did not escape their notice and they let us in after my aid, Maruko, informed them that we were a group of diplomats from the capital wishing to seek audience with the House of Allulion.
We reached the second wall in the course of three hours, at most. I was beginning to feel a little tired from the hard riding I've done and the snow has become too deep for the horses' feet. Nevertheless, we persevered, and by the time we turned east as soon as we crossed the checkpoint, my bodyguards collectively heaved a sigh of relief when we finally trotted up until almost at the main doorway of the familiar stone castle that I have visited during my youth.
The handful of guards immediately rushed to intervene with our arrival, but before they could do any interrogation, Lord Makiri saw the commotion and immediately appeared at the doorway.
"What in the bloody hell-" He blustered but stopped, walking towards our group in great strides before he stopped short and spied me in the midst of my bodyguards who stood around to protect me. "I-Izana?"
"Lord Makiri." I bowed a little, holding the reigns of a worn-out Zephyr.
My sleek white horse gave a snort of protest.
I am close enough with Makiri and his sister where it doesn't bother me that he called out my first name without the honorifics. But, protocol demands he give me the utmost respect-which he did a second later.
"Your Highness." He was bending on one knee in obeisance. The guards followed his example and gave deference to my authority. "We were not expecting a visit from you so soon."
I got off Zephyr in a smooth fashion, my boots hitting the snow-covered courtyard. "Likewise, Makiri. Likewise. However, Her Majesty wishes you to know that she puts Lyrias as her priority. Hence, I have been asked to do a tour and observe the direction of the city's future." I approached Makiri and waited for him to rise up and face me eye to eye.
Lord Makiri stood up. From where I stood, I can study him with ease. He is of stockier built with vivid coloring; his hair is dark brown, coupled with blue-violet eyes. Surprising to know that he is a most learned man, yet to outsiders, one might take a glance at him and think he is more of a fighter due to his muscled arms and chest.
"If you have sent word sooner, I could have prepared better in anticipation of your accommodations," He replied, and I noted a little tone of irritation. Makiri has little patience when it comes to guests who disturb his research and the running of his domain. Though I knew it is all thanks to his sister, Lady Haki, that Lyrias is running like a well-oiled clock.
And speaking of Haki... I glanced behind him and saw the lady in question standing at the top of the threshold of the main castle, waiting patiently.