Eric was listening to the sounds of the party going on downstairs, it sounded like fun and all the nobles from miles around had come. He like many other guards was forced to guard the rooftops, middle floor or the doorways. Mansel was a very cautious man when having such high profile gatherings. Some guards were lucky enough to be guarding the actual party and had snuck food or drink while no one was looking. Eric wasn't so lucky and he was forced to guard the middle floor.
"I can't believe that he forces us to do this!"
"Eric we have no real choice."
"But to make so much noise and sound like its so much fun."
"I know you think its torture but what are you going to do about it?"
"…Shut up."
"See?"
"Well I still don't like it."
"Whatever, have you seen our princess' mysterious guest?"
"Yep she looks really young though."
"So your theory about them…"
"No I still think it's true but there has to be some explanation for why she looks like she's ten."
"Or the most simple explanation."
"What's that?"
"She actually is ten."
"You make my life real hard you know that?"
"All part of my job Eric."
"I wonder…"
"Oh this should be good."
"Maybe she's one of those dragon people."
"A Mankete…?"
"Yeah it would explain quite a bit like why she was rising in the air as we watched them get closer."
"I guess it might but how are you going to prove it."
"Neither of you need to."
Another guard had come over to listen.
"What do you mean?"
"Well the girl is at the party as well."
"Oh well that doesn't explain anything."
"Yes it does those wings of hers are pretty obvious to the whole room."
"Oh well that would explain everything."
"And it would be a great cover story."
"Cover…story?"
"Yes then L'Arachel could say that she was visiting to improve relations with Rausten and her people."
"True."
"And then it would come as no surprise if they spend a lot of time together."
"She either thought this out very well or she has some very good luck."
"And I'm guessing it's the luck part."
"Well you two had better get back to work or Mansel will have your heads."
"Yeah, yeah."
Eric went back to his patrol route, when he was sure that no one was looking he ran downstairs to find out what was happening. He found the party was more of a meet n' greet not a super formal dinner like he thought all rich people had when they were in a room together. He saw Myrrh talking to some duchy of some part of the kingdom; he never knew how Mansel could hold this kingdom together with so many powerful nobles. He snuck into the room and he tapped Myrrh on the Shuolder.
"Excuse me miss?"
"Yes…"
"Might
I have a word?"
"Certainly."
He led her outside the room and stopped at the staircase.
"Might I ask as to how you know princess L'Arachel?"
"We fought the monsters of the demon king together."
"Oh may i…"
"YOU WHAT ARE YOU DOING OFF POST!"
Dozla had found them; he hoisted Eric up and threw him up the stairs. Eric ran back to his post before Dozla came after him.
"So you were found out."
"Yeah I couldn't find out if it was love or not before the bearded beast got to me."
"He really isn't that bad if you get on his good side."
"That I find hard to believe."
"Well that's because you haven't been on his good side."
"Fine."
Eric decided he would patrol the roof. He was on his way up the stairs when he felt something rush past him, whatever it was it had flown up the stairs really quickly. He ran to find out what it had been. He reached the room and found Myrrh standing outside looking at the moon outside. She looked devastated at something.
"Madam what are you…"
"Stop…"
"What?"
"I…can't believe...you humans and your politics…"
"Okay…"
"You all have some obsession with your appearance…and you never accept those who are different."
"I have no idea what your…"
"You never…accept those who are different…"
"You already said that."
That was the wrong thing to say with that Myrrh flew up into the air and off into the distance. Eric ran over to the battlements but by the time he reached there, Myrrh was just a dot fading in the dark.
L'Arachel didn't know anyone was missing until next morning at breakfast. She came down and sat at the table, she and Myrrh always ate together so when she hadn't shown by mid morning she became worried. She called all the guards that had served last night to her.
"So did any of you see a Manakete leaving the castle at any point in the ceremony?"
None of the guards said anything, Eric shifted nervously.
"Nothing at all?"
"Actually your majesty I did see her at two points in the party."
"What was happening at that point?"
"First time nothing. The second time I was guarding the roof and she came up."
"What was she doing?"
"Talking about politics and how we humans cant accepts those who are different then she flew off."
"Why didn't you try to catch her?"
"With some due respect your highness, I can't fly what did you want me to do jump after her?"
L'Arachel slapped him.
"I should kill you for your disrespect."
"you could but you won't."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm the only one who saw her leave so I know which direction she went. And If you kill me you'll never know where she went."
"Good point I'll let you live. So where did she go?"
"South towards Darkling Woods."
"Figures I need to find out who she was talking to."
"Someone who was interested in politics and such, maintaining good standing with people."
"How does that…"
"Princess maybe you should drop the act."
"…"
"Everyone leave I need to talk to this man alone."
All the other guards left. Eric felt his heart rate increasing.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look I may be young but I'm not stupid."
"You…"
"You two are in love."
"So?"
"So nothing I'm just saying I know."
"You…don't care?"
"I wouldn't say that I just don't mind."
"Why…?"
"I'm not after either of you romantically."
"Oh…"
"So I thought maybe you'd go looking for Myrrh."
"I cant I have duties here as princess but you could."
"I could but I have no adventuring experience."
"True."
"Maybe Dozla…"
"No he can't go he's become ill."
"Oh well that's too bad."
"Then maybe we should…"
There really isn't anyone who can be spared at the time."
"So we just let her go…"
"Yeah…"
Mansel entered the room very suddenly.
"Oh Lord Mansel I was just leaving."
"It alright guard you can stay here."
"Uncle what's going on?"
"There has been news of Carcino rallying forces to attack us."
"What haven't they had enough war?"
"Apparently not so I'm not letting anyone in or out of the country until this conflict is over."
He left the room and in doing so left any hope in L'Arachel of seeing Myrrh for the time being, the only consolation she would have had, is knowing that Myrrh was safe and was already regretting leaving the only person she had had feelings for
