Lance waited outside the door with the others. They heard footsteps and the door opened. Myrrh looked again at the man named Tancred. He had long graying, black robes and most notably, a schoolbook. He looked at Lance quizzically.
"What the hell Lance?"
"I need your help Tanc."
"Oh with what?"
"Well I have here my friends, Morgan and Myrrh."
"She I recognized from the castle, but why is she with you?"
"I'll explain if we can come inside."
"Okay hang on."
Tancred walked inside and they all followed. The house was large inside and there was a fire burning animatedly in the fireplace.
"You guys get comfortable and dry I'll be right back."
"Thanks…where's your wife?"
"Mio…I thinks she might be upstairs getting a bath."
"Oh…uhhh why do you not know."
"I only just got home a few minutes ago."
"Where were you?"
"Over at the market, I had to get some things."
"There are places open in this weather?"
"Apparently I wouldn't be."
"School get cancelled?"
"Yep."
Tancred walked into the kitchen. Myrrh leaned over to Lance.
"He is still in school?"
"Only because he looks really young so they think he his still fifteen."
"Oh really…and he's married."
"She's two years older than he is."
"Oh…that's interesting…"
"Why?"
"I guess I didn't figure older women married younger men…"
"Oh well it happens from time to time…"
"How did she fall in love with him?"
"I…don't know…we might need to."
"What are you doing here?"
A woman coming down the staircase interrupted lance's comment. She was in Myrrh's eyes very pretty, with long black hair. She had a towel wrapped around her. Morgan quickly turned his head, Lance fell over with embarrassment but Myrrh found herself staring in awe. The woman looked a little surprised at Myrrhs reaction, but at that moment Tancred came back out of the kitchen. He looked from the woman to Myrrh and back again.
"What's going on Mio?"
"I don't know Tancred…this girl cant stop staring…"
"Oh…Myrrh…"
"…"
"Myrrh!"
"…"
Mio walked down to Myrrh she put her hand on her face.
"It's kind of interesting, I'm flattered really Tanc…"
"But…"
"…!"
Myrrh's face was burning. She wished Mio would stop being so close it made her sweaty. Mio finally stood back to her full and considerable height. She looked down at Myrrh.
"Who is this?"
"This is the Dragon girl I was telling you about."
"From the castle?"
"I guess though why she's with Lance I have no idea."
"Oh. What's your name?"
"…"
"Come on we won't bite."
"…"
"Uhh…Mio could you maybe put some clothes on?"
"You think that's the problem?"
"Probably she seemed a little shy the last I saw of her."
"Oh alright."
Mio went back upstairs and Morgan looked back up.
"Is she…always like that?"
"No I bet she figured she was alone or I was the only one here."
"Oh…Myrrh what's up?"
"She…she…"
"…"
"was…beautiful…"
"Thanks but….Lance is there something I should know?"
"Yeah…Myrrh loves L'Arachel…"
"Oh so that's why you're taking her back?"
"Yep."
"Okay I think I can help you guys then."
"…Thank you…"
"First I need to know, what else doe s this involve?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can feel that there is some other plan, floating around in your mind Lance what is it?"
"…well because of these two girls…situation we wondered if…possibly, you would ever accept…if the circumstances were right…becoming…heir to the throne?"
"Awwwwwwwwwww do I have to?"
"I don't know but it was a thought we had…"
"Well maybe…I don't know…"
"Well at least get us to the castle."
"Sure but…it could be a few days…I still need to finish this week of school."
"Okay we can wait."
"…"
"oh right…Myrrh is that okay?"
"…I guess….how many days?"
"Four…but I could try to get Mio to take you but…"
"But what?"
"Well…I'll need to find out. Hang on."
Tancred ran up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Mio was sitting on her side of the bed looking depressed.
"Hey what's up?"
"Oh hey Tancred…"
"Something wrong?"
"I think I might be pregnant…"
"Oh….ummm hang on."
He ran back downstairs to find Lance looking at some of the books on the shelves.
"Whats up can she do it."
"Not for another few days. We need to find something out."
"Oh what?"
"Nothing you need to know for now."
"Oh."
Tancred went back upstairs to the master bedroom again.
"So how sure are you?"
"Not really yet but we'll know soon."
"Okay well I think we'll be okay."
"Oh…Tancred your feeling everything will be okay is one of the things that got me."
"really?"
"Yeah."
"In that case I'll get dinner."
They both stood up to go downstairs. As usual Tancred a little thrown by how tall she was compared to him. They went into the kitchen and Tancred got started making dinner. Lance and Morgan were still in the living room watching the fire. Myrrh had gotten interested in the books after Lance and was currently reading something about magicians in politics. She wasn't very interested and she went to find something better or more entertaining. She found Mio sitting in the study pouring over some papers.
"Uh…"
"Oh it's you Myrrh what's up?"
"Well I heard you might be pregnant."
"Oh…you have good ears."
"…Thanks."
"So what else is going on?"
"Well…I guess you wont be taking us to Rausten?"
"I think not I have some duties here."
"What?"
"Well I…help run the local…never mind."
"Now I really want to know…."
"Well it's a spy….i just had a great idea."
"Oh what?"
"Well I have a brother who guards the palace, he might be able to get the message out your back in the country. I'll write him."
"You would…do that
"Sure, so I'll get right to that."
She wasn't the only one getting to something. Eric was getting to his post. Mansel was doing an inspection of the castle and he wanted everything perfect. Seth was already there looking around worriedly.
"Oh Eric there you are! Good!"
"Sorry I was busy."
"Well at least he's not here yet."
"Yeah."
"Do you think he knows?"
"About…?"
"L'Arachel?"
"Oh…I don't know."
"I don't know what?"
Eric and Seth jumped they turned and found Mansel was standing behind them.
"So guards, tell me what do I not know?"
"Uhh…well you neice…"
"Go on."
Mansel wasn't being fearsome but Eric was quaking in his mind from fear.
"uuuuuuuh…your niece…..L'Arachel…..is……is."
"Yes?"
"………In love with…….uhhhhhhh………him."
"Who?"
"That ….one prince…..what was that one princes name steh?"
"Oh…..uhhhhhh……Ephreim….epraim…..uhhhh….Ehpraim that's it!"
"Yes! Ephraim your niece loves Ephraim!"
"oh I did not know that thanks for the info guards."
"Yes sir no problem sir!"
As Mansel walked away, Seth looked over at Eric.
"Ephraim that's the best you could come up with?"
"He scares me what was I supposed to do?"
"Good point a lot scares you…why are you a guard?"
"Well my sister thinks I cant catch anyone entering the palace."
"Oh and you want to prove her wrong?"
"Yeah and I hope to soon."
"Oh. What does you sister do?"
"Well last I heard she helped run a guild of spies."
"Cool. Is she married?"
"Yes but she is both older and taller than he husband."
"Oh….a little strange but I guess if they're happy."
"I think they are but I could be wrong."
"Well….uh oh…I think we're in trouble."
Eric looked around to see L'Arachel coming their way. She looked irate, she stopped in front of them with a look that made eric remember his days of guarding prisoners.
"What the hell was that?"
"What princess I have no idea…"
"Don't give me that crap you told my uncle I loved Ephraim!"
"Would you rather us tell him the truth?"
"wel…no…but now he wants me to marry him!"
"Oh…well that's not good…"
"And he's going to get you two to take me to Frelia to meet him."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks I love Ephraim because of your two!"
"Princess that might no be such a problem."
"If you come up with one more stupid idea Eric I am gonna…"
"No just here me out if we leave the castle we might be more likely to find Myrrh."
"…that might work eric…"
"Can I interrupt this conversation?"
"Yes Seth?"
"Well why is Mansel letting us out of the country?"
"Because the war effort is going along well and we'll be traveling in small groups so we'll be hard to spot."
"Oh well when do we leave princess?"
"In a few days. I think three."
"Well in that case I'd better get ready."
L'Arachel left to go to her room to prepare. Eric and seth were still surprised that they were being sent on a mission outside of the castle.
"Imagine what this will do for our careers."
"Yeah if it works…if we fail."
"We'll probably die."
"Good point…so Eric we'll need better weapons."
"Yeah what would you want to get?"
"Maybe an axe or something…I don't know."
"When were off duty we should get into the armory."
"Okay when do we get off?"
"Maybe ten minutes."
"Okay then."
L'Arachel came back to where they stood.
"Sorry about my outburst earlier."
"Its okay, you as the princess have the right to rage at anyone."
"I…do?"
"Yes
you can yell at me and Seth as much as you want and no one will ever
try stop you."
"Oh…"
"well no matter, we were just discussing the need for better weapons if we go on this trip."
"Oh…yes of course…please…got to the armory and help yourselves."
"Thank you my princess."
They both found the armory and opened the doors. Inside was a huge selection of weapons and armor.
"Wow…and to think we're a peaceful nation."
"These are just in case. We are a peaceful nation until we come under attack."
"Oh…well still…I think we have a…oooooh is that a killing edge?"
"sigh….why do you think that you can use that?"
"Because, Seth I practiced extensively with all types of swords."
"Oh….then why don't you use one?"
"Because palace guards are equipped with spears."
"I know…I think I'll use that steel axe."
"Cool, so what do you think Myrrh's up to?"
"I have no idea."
Myrrh was in fact enjoying her time at Tancred's house. The food was good and she overheard plenty of interesting conversations between Tancred, Lance and Mio. They talked mostly about guilds and magic. Myrrh learned quite a bit about business management and conjuring techniques. Tancred and Mio eventually went up to bed. Lance and Morgan finished cleaning their dishes and Myrrh went to the guest room where three small cots were laid out. She climbed onto one and went to sleep. She woke in the middle of the night to Morgan and Lance's snoring. She looked around and decided to get a drink from the kitchen. She found Mio sitting at the table writing a letter. A hooded figure stood in the corner.
"Oh hi Myrrh."
"Hi…"
"This is Curtis, he'll be getting this letter to Rausten castle."
"…Hello."
Curtis bowed halfway, revealing long blonde hair and a very limber build.
"Always a pleasure to meet an associate of Madam Mio."
"…"
"That's how spies say hello."
"oh…"
Mio finished the letter and sealed it. She handed it to curtis who put it deep in his cloak.
"How long should this take you Curtis?"
"Maybe five days…four if I'm fast."
"Good, I'll see you in a few days."
"You be careful madam, a woman in your condition shouldn't take to many risks."
Curtis left through the back door. Mio gave a sigh of relief and slumped down in her chair.
"He seems a little weird but he's a good spy."
"…"
"You must be tired. Sit down."
"…Okay…"
"So Tancred said you were in love with L'Arachel."
"…Yeah…"
"Well, I think it's about time she found someone."
"Oh…"
"You aren't a very big talker…"
"…everyone tell me that…"
"oh…well they have a point…"
"So…why aren't you going back to bed…?"
"I'm just getting some water."
"Oh…"
"Were you getting some too?"
"Yeah…"
They both got a drink and went back to bed. Curtis was just clearing the town limits with the letter. He went down the road and into the woods. It was still pouring rain and thunder clapped in the distance as he struggled through the foliage. He swore as he tripped over a rock jutting out of the ground. Getting up he walked on through the woods, eventually he decided to get some ret. He settled next to a tree and fell asleep.
The next morning, L'Arachel had gotten up early to the sound of someone pounding on her door. She got up and opened the door and found her Uncle in the doorway.
"Good you're awake."
"Hey uncle, what's up?"
"Well I hope you're ready."
"For what?"
"To go to Frelia."
"But that's not for another two days."
"Yes but we just won a major battle against Carcino so I would rather use this opportunity to get you over the border quickly."
"But…"
"No buts this must be done for the sake of your parents."
"…"
"Well your things are packed so get dressed and you'll be on your way."
Mansel left, leaving L'Arachel in shock. She went back and got dressed and wnet downstairs and found Eric and Seth standing in the main hall. Neither of them really looked like adventurers or warriors at all, they both looked sleep deprived and ha d plainly been hurried out of bed, just like her.
"Morning princess."
"Morning"
"I guess we'll have to go now."
"Yeah…"
"Something wrong?"
"…no…just tired."
"Well me had better leave."
They left the palace and got out of the city as quickly as possible. Many people stopped to look as they walked. Eric tired to hurry the other two along. When they finally left town. Eric saw the sky had cleared up and the rain had stopped. As they walked Eric noticed that L'Arachel looked more and more miserable the further they walked.
"Whats wrong princess?"
"Well…it's just…that castle was where Myrrh knew I last was. If we go further…she might not ever find me."
"Princess it will all work out, you'll see."
"You…think so?"
"Sure, I've seen worse."
"oh…"
She looked a little happier. Eric looked over at Seth who shook his head. Eric had been practicing his speech since he got up. He didn't really believe there was a whole lot of hope and neither did Seth. Eric quietly chuckled nervously to himself as they continued walking. Neither of her friends knew that waiting in Frelia, there would be something that would prove to be both a blessing and a curse.
