Little warning ahead for time jumps.
Selyne's quill was paused over the paper in front of her. She knew what she wanted to say, but not exactly how to say it. It had been several weeks since Ike had left. She was hoping there was time to catch him. There was no other way to say it than be blunt. She began to write in her left-handed scrawl, which she was thankful Ike at least said was entirely legible.
When she was done, she sealed the letter away in an envelope and left the inn, calling to Lena she would be back momentarily.
In the village, she found who she was looking for. "Dani." He turned and smiled. The young man was always running errands and messages. "I'm glad you're here."
"What can I do for ya, Miss Selyne?"
"You know Prince Erian's troops, right? Do you think you could find them and deliver this to Ike?"
Dani looked at the letter and slowly nodded. "I can try, I think they were headin' north, weren't they?"
"Yes, thank you." She pressed a handful of gold on him and added, "Could you hurry?"
"I'll try."
As Selyne pondered over her letter, many miles away, the prince and his men found shelter in an empty cabin. Melting snow and rains had caused the river to rise from its banks, giving them no way to cross until the water had lowered. Ike leaned against a wall, his eyes shut, as he listened to the hum of activity around him.
"You look content."
"Hmm?" He opened one eye for a quick glance at Soren.
Soren sighed and shut the tome he was reading. "I mean, you seem a lot happier than you have in a while. And I didn't think traveling would put that in you. Or is it not traveling?"
Ike chose a neutral answer. "I think travelling here was one of the best choices I've made in the last few years."
"Are you sure?" Soren knew what he meant, but there were also reasons to not be happy. Ike was still in all intents and purposes, a traveling mercenary. He was still fighting battles that he might not belong in. All he had done was drop the position of power and changed locations.
Ike nodded. He then yawned asked Soren to wake him in an hour unless something important came up. Soren let Ike drift off to sleep. Nothing would be bothering them, he hoped. There were thieves, there were always thieves, but they had run into none of them.
He was curious, wondering if perhaps Erian planned to see the rest of his family. The idea of going into the capital had him concerned but curious. The royals, even some lords and ladies he and Ike had met along the road, all seemed relaxed and easy going. Even Erian was very calm, unless compared to his brothers. There were quarrels and squabbles, but it was nothing like war-torn Tellius.
He watched, lost in thought, as several men brought in fish they had snagged from the river. He hope the rising water would lower soon, fish was nice, but he didn't know how many days in a row he could eat it.
With a look to Ike, he realized he was starting to feel what Ike felt before, a sense of restlessness. Of wanting to move and find a new place. Ike had found a place he wanted to stay, and Soren was not in agreement. But he would not leave his only friend. He sighed and returned to his tome.
That night, they dined on fish and fell asleep to the sound of running water. The following morning, the water had dropped, but not enough to cross. It took three more days for them to cross. Soren had read through his tomes, and two books he had borrowed from Selyne, by that time. The idea of borrowing a book from someone else, if anyone carried one with them, had crossed his mind, but he could not bring himself to ask.
After an evening of marching north, scouts returned with an interesting report. Golden banners had been sighted not a day's ride ahead of them.
Ike and Soren were not close enough to hear, but the excited reaction of the prince and his retainers made it clear that they were not facing an enemy. Caspian later informed them that golden banners meant the second eldest prince, Teo.
"He has a fondness for the color," Caspian explained. "Prince Erian and Prince Teo get along much better than the rest of their brothers."
"Even though Prince Teo is the second eldest?"
Caspian nodded. "It's like night and day."
He was not wrong. Erian sent his scouts back to inform his brother to wait, that they would meet up with him. Teo was of a height with his younger brother, but less serious and a lot more excitable than Oisin. His armor, as one would expect, was gold, but less elaborate than some of his officers. His jet black hair was pulled away from his face. Though a long and vicious scar traveled from his forehead to chin, the smile that came to his face proved him to be friendly.
"Erian!" Erian let out a yelp of surprise as he was lifted from the ground by his brother.
Soren leaned close to Ike and whispered, "Do you think they're all color coded?" Ike suppressed his laughter.
"It is like night and day," Ike remarked once his laughter faded. "Erian wants nothing to do with Oisin, but he and Teo act like they love each other."
Soren nodded. The two princes walked away, heading to Teo's tent. He was talking fast and animatedly. Erian seemed in full agreement of whatever was being said.
The two princes were given time to catch up as the knights and soldiers mingled. What Ike heard from the conversations made him unhappy. Prince Teo would later confirm it. He was pleased to come across his brother as their father had ordered his sons to return to the palace.
"I don't know about this," Ike whispered to Soren.
Soren shook his head. He was not, either. Royals always wanted something.