Chapter 46

46 Meet Again.

Quies shook the reins and the carriage moved, along with it followed the nine warriors riding on their Wraiths. Valerian sat quietly taking notes on the scenery. This has become a habit to him, just like breathing.

After waking up inside the burrow, he had learned to be observant under Gleam’s scoldings. His eyes were constantly making slight movements, and Quies noticed this. The old steward was impressed with his growth.

The city folk all knew about the departure of the princess and they all had gathered at the city gates. When the carriage passed through the gates, the people showered it with flower petals. The Princess was their savior, after all.

Azula was not all cold, she said, “Quies, stop the carriage.”

The old man pulled on the reins gently and the four deers stopped. Valerian jumped down and gracefully opened the door. He offered his hand and the princess walked down the folding steps with his help. She nodded to him, and the boy let go. Priscilla and Rectus followed her down the Carriage.

Valerian cast a glare at the two of them, they were supposed to get down first and then help the princess. He did not like this carelessness of theirs. Quies patted his shoulders and using one hand signs, he said, ‘Do not worry, deal with them later.’

The child nodded, Quies was not going to spare these people. Azula did not pay much attention. With the help of Priscilla, she interacted with the city folks and assured them about the official who will replace her. It took her half an hour to do so.

Finally, they got on to the carriage and the convoy moved again. They were moving on a dirt road. Valerian asked, ‘Sir, Quies, is it very costly to make roads to connect the cities?’

Quies nodded and said, “Not only is it costly, but time-consuming as well. Magic constructs do not last forever, and manual labor is not cheap. If that is solved, then comes the troublemakers.”

.....

Valerian asked, ‘Do you mean Bandits and Merchants?’

Quies nodded in reply, he then explained how the bandits will capture the workers and then demand ransom. Valerian was aware of this, then he asked, ‘Sir what impact does a merchant has? Will the roads not help them travel faster?’

The Old Steward said, “Merchants love profit, the material to make roads is procured from the mining cities and then supplied to the different regions. This task is performed by the merchants, so they monopolize it.”

Valerian nodded and the two people discussed this subject at great lengths. The speed of the wraiths and the Blizzard Bucks increased and they arrived at the gates of the City of Calix in four hours.

The magical beasts were quite fast, and the size of the convoy was not too big, which allowed them to travel at a higher speed. The princess was out for a trial and thus she was given a minimalistic protection detail. Valerian looked at the gates of the city coming up and asked, ‘Will we have to stay the night here?’

Quies shook his head and said, “The Princess wishes to return within a week. We will just pick up her aides from the city gates and keep on traveling till sundown.”

Valerian nodded, how could the old man not notice the momentary flicker in the eyes of the child. He asked, “Anything on your mind, Valerian?”

The boy cast him a gaze and after thinking about it, he decided to tell the steward everything that happened inside the forest. Quies had a bad expression on his face, he said, “I did not expect it to be like this. I should talk to her highness.”

Valerian shook his head and said, ‘I do not wish to ruin someone’s chances of success. After we reach the capital, I will have to attend the academy and these aides could attend to the needs of Her Highness. The interaction between us will be low.’

Quies nodded and said, “If that is what you think.”

The carriage reached closer to the city gates and Valerian spotted a group of people standing their. This group had a few familiar faces and a few unfamiliar faces. Valerian closed his eyes and after a deep breath he calmed down.

The convoy arrived at the gates and the group became alert. They all were intimidated by the magical beasts in the convoy. Valerian did not say much, as soon as the convoy stopped he climbed down and came to open the door of the carriage.

Rectus was the first to get down and moved toward the group with a smile on his face. Then Priscilla came down and offered her hand to Azula. The princess stepped down and ran her gaze around.

She glanced at Quies, who nodded and walked over to the group. He gazed at an old warrior with a sword on his back and asked, “Who is the City Lord, amongst you all?”

The old man was Meta, he asked, “May I know who is asking?”

Quies nodded and replied, “My name is Quies, I am the Steward of the third princess of the empire, Azula Verus.”

Meta bowed his head and said, “Pardon me, Sir Quies. I am the chief warrior of the Calix City, Meta Pendum. The City Lord is not well suited for travels.”

Quies frowned when a young lady standing behind Meta said, “Sir Quies, my father is physically not well to travel. Last month when he was out for some work, his convoy was attacked by the bandits. He lost his hand and ever since then he has developed a shadow of going outside the city.”

Quies was surprised but then he nodded, he asked, “May I ask who might you be, Young Lady?”

The girl smiled and after a greeting bow she said, “I am called Consano, the elder daughter of the City Lord of Calix.”

Then she gestured for the other girl and said, “This is my younger sister Conixia.”

Quies nodded and said, “I suppose you have received the letter we sent you earlier? The princess wishes to be on the way. If you have nothing else, then please come along.”

Consano nodded and said, “We are aware that the time is short so we have already said our farewells, Sir Quies.”

The old Steward nodded and then took the two ladies to meet Azula at the back of the convoy. He also told the princess about the City Lord. Azula expressed her grief about the situation. Valerian stood indifferently on the side, all this had nothing to do with him.

Conixia gazed at him and found him very pleasing to the eye. She asked in a low voice, “Your Highness, who might this sir be?”

Azula was surprised and then with a smile replied, “He is Valerian, nephew to mage Rectus and also my attendant.”

Valerian glared at the princess and said, ‘Who is his nephew? Your Highness, do not impose relations on me. He can be a brother to Mother Diligentia but nothing to me.’

Azula was not surprised and had expected this reaction. She sighed and said, “Fine, fine. You are just my attendant.”

Valerian turned his attention toward the magical beasts at once. Consano and Conixia were surprised by this. Priscilla noticed this and said, “Do not look down on him because of his inability to speak. This boy is quite strong.”

Azula nodded and wanted to say something when Consano said, “I did not expect to meet with him again. A couple of months ago, we met him in the forest of Acies, but the encounter was not pleasant. It seems as if Valerian is still holding on to that time.”

Conixia was standing beside her sister with a flushed face. She did not expect that random savage to have connections with the Princess of the empire. She was regretting her arrogant attitude in the past.

Azula was surprised, but she decided to ask things later, she said, “Rectus, you stay in the City for the time being, push back the bandits. Then meet us at the gates of the capital.”

Rectus sighed and nodded, “As you command your highness.”

Azula said, “We shall move.”

They all got back on the carriage and the convoy moved. The carriage was occupied by the four ladies. Their conversation at the moment was revolving around Valerian and the City Lord. They had just come a few miles away from the city of Calix when Valerian suddenly let out a bleat.

The beasts all stopped, Quies asked, “What is it, Valerian?”

The boy pointed ahead and used his signs, ‘Ambush, three miles away.’

Quies asked, “How do you know?”

Valerian pointed at the sky. A small cluster of insects was moving towards them. Quies followed the line of sight and said, “Priscilla, guard her highness. The rest will defend the line. I will go and deal with the bandits.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “You do not need to do anything, I will handle it.”