The Hidden Princess: Kingdom's Fate (book three)

Chapter Fifteen: We Are Family After All

"What can we expect in Rahasia?" Benedict asked as we sat around the fire the night of our first day.

The three Nivietarian's exchanged looks. Rowen and Emree quickly looked away. Morr-El shook his head glaring at the two. "Thanks guys," he mumbled before turning to Benedict. "Mayhem, destruction, chaos... take the docks of Sayven, multiple it by a hundred and you have a glimpse of what we are heading into," he said.

"Why hasn't this town just been shut down?" Norick, the head of my guards spoke up.

"King Tathrow has tried. He sends his armies every few years to discourage and spread out groups that call Rahasia home. However, as soon as the guards leave the rats come back," Morr-El said. "I've only been there once. My father took me there as a warning. I rebelled after my sister's disappearance and father said if I didn't shape up, that's what would become of me," he said.

"Your father sounds like a lovely man," Alakay said.

Morr-El shook his head. "Mother tries to tell me he was different once, power goes quickly to one's head," he said.

"Hear that Sam. Power goes to one's head, then you become a royal pain in the..." Nate said, but was cut off as he was pushed off his tree stump by Emree who was passing by.

"Oops! Did I run into you?" she asked mockingly.

Nate glared at her as he righted himself. "As I was saying. Wha..." he started again but a cup of water was dumped on him. He sprung to his feet and spun on Emree. "Could you be any more annoying?" he asked.

Emree grinned at him, batting her eyelashes innocently. "I could try," she said, walking back to her seat.

"Your statement of not everyone returning may be true. Although, I don't think it will have anything to do with what we are going after," Morr-El said, laughing as Emree and Nate got into another argument.

"I will gladly gag them for you, your highness," Norick said.

I laughed and shook my head. "By the end of our travels I might have to take you up on that," I said, watching as Emree let out a string of Nivetarian which Nate responded with a string of Moshadian.

The following day we started our ride through the forest. "Have I mentioned how much I hate forests?" Alakay asked as he rode beside me.

"Only every five minutes since we entered the forest," I said, smirking at him.

"Pretty sure he started when we first spotted the forest two hours ago," Rowen said, laughing as Alakay glared at him. "It's just a forest. It's not like it's full of goblins. Those only live in Moshad," he joked.

"Oh thank you for that encouragement, Rowen," Alakay mocked.

"Row's right. We don't have any goblins. However, this forest is said to be home to both echidna and harpies," Emree grinned.

Alakay's face whitened. "Oh yes, so much better. The half woman half snake and the half woman half bird creatures... so much better than goblins," he said, glaring as the two laughed.

"At least we don't have to face the chimera, I mean I could handle a lion, goat, or serpent by itself, but mix 'em all together and I'm out of here," Nate said, earning a nod from Emree and Rowen.

"Quiet," I snapped.

Alakay waved his hand at me. "Thank you, Sam! At least someone cares."

I waved his comment away. "No, I mean shut up," I said. Everyone fell quiet and looked at me. "Do you hear that?" I questioned.