The Runaway Princess

Chapter 10

-Ester's POV-

I woke up to see that the sun was just rising. I rubbed my eyes wearily, turning and saw Cypren sleeping in the other bed. I got up and went to the window and looked at the red and purple sunrise before going to the floor's bathroom to reset my outfit to make sure I looked enough like a boy. Once I was completely sure that I was fully covered I returned to the room. Cypren was still asleep so I headed downstairs to get breakfast.

Rosa was still there but looked half asleep, obviously at the end of her shift. The crowd had dwindled down to a few stragglers who all either look half dead or sinister or some combination. I ordered the breakfast meal which came out after three minutes, but it looked as though it was made a week ago. I pushed around the food while forcing myself to have a few bites.

Cypren came down after a bit, sat down, and took my plate and started eating the rest without asking.

"Are you ready to leave?" He asked.

"I just need my bag-" I started before he lifted up my bag from where he was holding it under the table.

I paid for the food and we headed out quickly. The temperature outside was almost unbearable but we managed. On the other side of the plaza was a stall where you could rent horses or carriages to certain places, with different prices regarding where you were looking to go. Cypren started eyeing the horses before looking back at me.

"Absolutely not," I told him firmly. "We will get a carriage please" I said towards the vendor. He called out to a stable boy and soon we were on our way across the country. Cypren was fidgety and sat as far away from me as he could, a humorous fact, given he had just suggested for us to use one horse.

The country was beautiful, the sand was a gold shimmer that caused a glare when looking directly at it from the reflection of the sun. There were few plants, but the ones that were there were gorgeous, tall cactuses with pink and purple blooms erupting for the top, with small shrubs with white blossoms to catch any moisture from the air during the night. I couldn't imagine it would be a lot however, and I admire all the plants I saw, respecting them to be able to live in such situations. In a way they reminded me of Storm. She seemed to make do wherever she was.

In the carriage we were protected somewhat from the heat, but only from the direct rays of the sun. The hearty was the only part I cannot find beautiful in this place, it was sweltering, and in all my layers, unescapable.

Cypren took off his shirt without so much as a sideways glance at me and I felt a stab of envy for him being able to do that. Technically I had the white binding around my chest, but I still wouldn't be comfortable to do that with him around.

"Would you like some water?" Cypren asked, holding out a leather flask. I took it gratefully and took a large gulp before offering it back to him, not wanting to drink all the water.

"I've got my own actually," He said, pulling out another flask. However, from the plunge ant smell I could tell that it was not water.

We stopped only at one spot on the journey, to let the horses rest.

The city was called Whey and it only holds 120 occupants, or so tells me the stable boy. I assume he did not stop us here just for the horse as multiple others come up and greet him in Irian.

I briefly thought back to Storm, wondering if I had stayed if she would have taught me, before chastising myself and remembering the cold way she regarded me before I left.

Soon we were on the road again and I watched the outside as we went, looking for any life forms. I saw a few rabbits and a snake at one point but little less.

After noon we arrive at Sarna. The city was bustling with many people, most on foot, though many are using carriages such as the one we are using. On the main dock we came across the sister stall for the horses and dismount.

"Thank you!" I told the stable boy before he departed back to Alid. As I turned to Cypren, I looked at our surroundings. They were relatively similar to the port we arrived at, but here there was more of what looked like travelers, and less people bringing cargo.

"Where do your contacts live?" I asked Cypren. He looted to the side quickly as though searching for something or someone.

"I think they're over here," he said slowly, pointing to the farthest corner of the port, where a restaurant is across from a large boat. We walked up to the corner, but as I turned to the restaurant, I felt Cypren grabbed my hands. Before I could fight back, he winded rope around them and tied it tightly. He turned me around and I opened my mouth and to my surprise he let go of my hands, but only to take a piece of cloth and shove it into my mouth before using another piece to tie around my head, thoroughly gagging me and making me unable to speak.

"Sorry Ester," he said, not looking sorry at all. "There's a reward on your head, and it could let me live happily for a long time." Without any further words, he grabbed my arm and shuffled me up the ship's ladder and onto the deck. There I saw a crew of 30 people by my estimate.

"I've brought the Aregium princess," Cypren said. All eyes turned to us. "I'd like that reward now."

Nothing happened for over a minute until a figure moved through the crew members, and the others fell back for this person. They were in black expensive clothes with a large feathered hat.

"Here's the money kid," He said, throwing a bag of gold. "Now get lost."

Cypren turned away but I nudged him so he looked back at me. I widened my eyes and shook my head no at him, but he shrugged and left. I turned back to the crew and found the dark figure standing in front of me. He smiled with multiple teeth missing before he put a bag over my head.