Kendra thought about the travels. Actually, she planned to travel by the coastline and paint it. Her plan is to make a new map of the continent.
Lord Ca.s.sian gave her an old map of his country but since a long time no one ever made new.
So she told him she will make a new map of the coastline and cities she will visit. She will send him a piece of map from her trips.
As the fief was practically island on itself the real continent began on other side of the path. Lord Ca.s.sian and Xara stood long on the birder seeing four children and two pets slowly walking and talking. Only after they left their sight they turned heavily back home.
In palace everyone that knew the girls felt like something is missing. Isaa"s chirping filled the hallways and Kendra"s mighty voice as well when she gave quick orders or happy news.
Even the smallest servant felt something missing. Only Tyra felt gleeful and wished all the worst. She would lay on the bed and with hateful laughter go to sleep while the woman looked at her like she lost her mind in pity.
On another side in Capital city, the King sat there looking at a group of n.o.bles that tried to explain to her that she needs a husband. She chuckled.
"What do I need a husband for. We do not live in a country that is vicious to children. I can find a man get him to impregnate me and then pay him off for his duty. Or just kill him. Why do I need to keep someone like that by my side?"
They looked at her stunned. When they thought about it, there is no rule or regulation that she needs to be married to have a successor. But older generations if n.o.bles thought that it is prosperous to do such thing.
" If you as kings do that, how can we teach our children about positive sides of marriage? The youth will get wings and will start having children without any control..." But suddenly he stopped as he saw a sarcastic smile on Kings" face.
"You, from all others, should not even mention that. Do you think I don"t know what is going on in your house? Bdw, let me punish you for that you do. Lord Kail, you will be punished as a sign to others. You will lose the name of the Lord and your wife will get it. You will be do forced from this moment on and all that belongs to the Lord she will keep. You will be just penniless commoner from this moment on. Guards!!!" She yelled. "Take this man out the palace and give notice to the new Lord. It will be in her hands how she will handle the rest of your story."
She waved her hand in annoyance and looked at the n.o.bles icily. "Anyone else has such ""bright" idea?"
The n.o.bles bit silent while the coldness went down their spine. They respectfully went a few steps backward and bowed deeply while almost running away.
"Phew, this was close. But she really needs child. Accept her, the only possible successor is Xara but she got married to that annoying Lord Ca.s.sian. He literally exterminated everyone from his fief that he didn"t like. Now is even hard to enter. Only once in three days travelers and traders can join in. But only to be in the outer city. To go further in, you need a guarantee from the one that invites us. And if visitors do something wrong, the one which invited could be kicked out fief permanently. What kind of crazy rule is that?"Other n.o.ble heard his rambling and snorted disdainfully. "Lord Ca.s.sian is doing a good job. He actually made so many changes that people now running there to buy land, but he made a new rule that only those that already live there have the right to do so. If people that come from outside buy all the land, what would do the people that live there already for generations? Kicking out people or killing bad sprouts. Ha, weird laws? If we could implement a few of his laws our country could become really prosperous. Sigh."
The n.o.ble looked at him with arrogance and turned around. He looked at the old man over the shoulder and smiled evilly. "Proper people like you will destroy the country our ancestors built."
"Lord Eric, your ugly private life isn"t the same as our country. And be careful with your words. Our King"s ancestors built this country, not people like you." The old n.o.ble got angry.
Lord Eric smiled sarcastically and left the old man trembling in anger. Young n.o.ble cane to his side and patted his shoulder. "Lord Regna, calm your feelings. The King is not a dumb person. She will make huge changes in the kingdom. And since she has those shadow guards, she is not in danger. And about the future of her own private life, we can"t change that. That is her own decision."
Lord Regna nodded. "Even if you are young, it seems you have quite an insight into happenings in the country. The King needs more people like you. I am getting old and soon someone else will take my position. Sigh. Have a good day Lord Trygve."
The young n.o.ble gave a deep bow and saw Lord Regna walking slowly. He sighed as well. His father taught him to be on King"s side, no matter what. But he felt lucky. In old stories some King"s were weak and to trustworthy. But she, he smiled while thinking about the ridiculously stubborn woman. It seems it is the only way for them to be close. His eyes showed determination. He will stay on her side no matter what, as her friend, protector... lover.
In palace King just huffed. "I can"t believe what they came up with. What is next? Changing rules and having only boys rule? They think I don"t know their mind. They heard stories from the old continent where the King could be only male and he could have numerous woman. Disgusting. But unfortunately, the n.o.bles are an important part of our country. If I could I would turn them all into commoners and give high positions only to those that deserve. "
Servants by her side shook their heads. One of them was a bit bolder and approached her. "Uhm, your Royal Highness... Why don"t you just do it ?"
She looked at sincere face if little servant girl and saw that others just hung their head in fear. With a sigh, she waved her hand and sent them out. But before the little maid left King stopped her. "You seem to be curious, but foolish as well. Let me tell you something, from now on don"t trust anyone. Not even your family. If you don"t trust my words, you"ll cause doom for your family and friends. Now go. I will call you soon. By the way, what is your name?"
The little maid looked at her and smiled brightly. "I am Cora. I have no family as I was just found on streets as a baby and was trained by the main maid to become one of your maids. As friends, I had only one. But she disappeared a week before you came back. I tried to find her but to no a wail." She turned gloomy and single teardrop slid down her pale face.
"I understand. Don"t talk to Antone from this day onwards. There will be big changes. Don"t get yourself involved with anyone. If you do, I wouldn"t be able to help you out. Understand?"
The little girl nodded. "Even the grand maid told me that your words are final. No matter what you say. So I shall obey." She bowed deeply and went out.
King sighed. The grand maid is someone who was her guardian for a long time. If she trained this girl then she will be just fine. But the information she gave her... She needs to get deeper into this. It seems that those disgusting people extended their filthy fingers even into her backyard. She needs to cut some as it seems.
In the capital, the turmoil just started, but on another side Kendra, Isaa, Lais and Ta.s.sio slowly walked and commented on the surroundings.
Don"t be mistaken. We are talking about two children that have high-level powers, a demon child that is quite powerful and a dragon that is no need even to comment. What it seemed for them as a slow walk, for others is high speed running.
After while Kendra realized that they literally almost flew, she made a sudden stop. Rest if children looked at her surprised as they stopped far away from her. They run back and looked at the surroundings to see what was the reason for her stop.
She sighed." How do we plan to see the world if we don"t walk like commoners? We need to make a map. But not only that, I plan to write about some plants that are uncommon for our fief. Or just write all the plants and animals we meet. I think that is the next task for three of you. I will make a camp here. The tree of you will make a big circle and check what kind of plants and animals are there. I will write it down and then we can continue. Yes, if you can find a different kind of earth or minerals, let me know as well. But first let us cook something, or should I take some prepared food?"
She put some food out that they got ready and just enjoyed the evening. Fluffy and Lilly jumped around acting more like dogs than dignified elders. Ta.s.sio shook his head looking at their happy faces and sighed like an old man. That gathered him snort from Lais.
"Stupid. So what if they are older than us. At least they are enjoying their life. Or do you want them to be depressed and sulk for another few hundreds of years? Seeing them like that gives me hope that I could have a chance to survive the Last challenge as well." She looked at them with s.h.i.+ny eyes.
But from another side, he looked at her with daring eyes. When she turned her head she saw him looking at them with sigh again not knowing that he actually just split of second before averted his eyes off her.
The two people argued who is right and who wrong while Kendra and Isaa looked at them with a smile. Isaa"s mouth twitched as she tried to stifle her laughter. Kendra poked her and shook her head while pointing at the stars over their head.
Fresh air slowly started floating around them but they didn"t feel it. Slowly a fog came crawling towards them and as it was about to touch their camp, it stopped. Kendra turned around and looked straight at the fog.
"Interesting. That is a nice technique. If you teach us, I will try to make a wish come true." Said Kendra while staring at a certain point. Suddenly it parted and a young man with strange gold brown eyes came out...