The Kingdom Of Stories And Lies

Chapter 4

Niran usually has breakfast with Caroline every day and this is how it normally is. They like to have their breakfast in the open air which is practically the garden that Caroline tends to. The servants bring the food at ten o'clock in the morning and it's always some eggs, patisseries or porridge. Today it is some Spanish eggs with coffee and cake.

 Caroline was the first to break the silence "so, how is that ship problem of yours?" she asks. Niran takes a sip from his coffee and then replies "still nothing, we have sent more men and my best PIs's but they have figured nothing and it is starting to worry me." She looks at him worriedly and says "what are you going to do then?" he tsks "hell if I know, and I'm in no mood to start a war, am I?" she laughs at that and that makes him smile too.

Soon after, their breakfast was interrupted by Callum. He greeted them with a simple good morning and tiny bow but then he says 

"I'm afraid sir that we still know nothing about this ship or the men and everything we do, does little to inform us about where the ship might be." Niran already knows this and he is running out of options "okay, Callum. I might have an idea." 

"yes sir?" 

Niran takes another sip from his coffee and then says "prepare the horses and send word to some of your best men to get prepared." Callum looks confused "I beg your pardon sir?" Niran then tells him "I can see that there is no progress and no matter who you send, you can't seem to find anything" Callum is still waiting 

"I shall head to Rava myself" 

Callum is utterly surprised and Caroline almost spits her coffee also. "WHAT?!" Caroline exclaims, Niran shoots her a glance that says later. So, she takes the hint and says respectfully "apologies."

Callum is still staring at Niran, thinking maybe this is all a joke "you're quite serious sir" Niran nods "indeed, I am Callum" and then he continues "I want everything ready by tomorrow's sunrise and make it as secretive as possible, understood?" Callum is surprised by the sudden harshness in his tone but says anyway "understood, sir" he then bows and leaves the garden.

As soon as Callum leaves, Caroline is looking at Niran waiting for an explanation. "what Care?" he asks "you are going to RAVA" she says as a child excited for Christmas. "yeah, Care. I am going to Rava. You just heard me say that." She gives him a look that says I'm not deaf nor am I stupid. 

"Can I come with you? Pleaseee" 

"No, Caroline you cannot." 

She looks at him disappointingly "why not?" he says as a matter of a fact "I am going to seek my lost ship and probably some political problems will arouse between me and the king of Rava. So as you can see this is not a voyage, this is work and it is somehow extremely dangerous." 

She sighs, annoyed. "ugh, okay fine." Niran looks satisfied that she did not complete arguing so he lays back and completes his cup of coffee in peace.

******

It's been years since Niran had a good sleep or really slept, since his parent's death things have been rough and to say that he received a lot and a lot of death threats and letters that claim that he is the devil. All of this is because once his parents died, the kingdom seemed to mourn their death and somehow the nightmares are a reminder of all of that. 

So when Callum came knocking at his door at five A.M. in the morning, Niran was already awake and ready to move.

Callum was waiting for Niran at his door when Niran emerged from his room clad in black from head to toe; black breeches, boots, tunic with a slim silver lining at the cuffs, and a black cloak. His messy hair is swept into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, he looks sharp, evil. Just as people think he is.

He nods at Callum, a simple nod. "everything is ready, sir." Niran nods again and says "good, let's get going." And they head outside. 

Caroline is waiting for them next to their horses, she gives Niran a tight hug, something she only dares to do, and Niran hugs her back. "stay safe, brother. And come back in one piece okay?" he smiles "okay. Don't do anything stupid while am gone, I won't be here to fix it, huh?" she laughs wildly and hits him on the shoulder playfully "yeah sure, whatever." 

He then mounts his pitch-dark mare which Caroline named Hiraya. He salutes Caroline with a mocking solider imitation and leaves. It probably will take two or three days maximum to reach Rava.

Once they head to the streets of Alynthi, every set of eyes lands on them, and what hurts him more than anything is the look in the children's eyes. Fear. And at that moment, he thought that maybe he is the monster everyone thinks he is. Niran is only twenty years old and after his parents' death, a lot of things seemed to change. Yes, he can be heartless and brutally cruel when need be. Yes, he will kill anyone who harms the ones he loves without a blink of an eye just because it is him that has lost so much and still chose to live. to be human. over and over again.

They reached the outskirts of Torrine- the capital- and enter the dark forest; where everything and anything looms in the darkness, protected by it. 

They walk carefully, aware of their surroundings and their hands on their swords and daggers. a branch breaks and falls from a tree, they all turn around so quickly following the sight of the branch "keep moving" Niran orders. He knows these woods too well to not be fooled by it. They skid to a halt and jump off of their horses and walk beside them instead. 

They reach the other side of the forest when something howls in the distance, like a wolf but more fearsome. Dark. it is so dark they can only sense the presence of it. something moves behind them and they turn around and catch something. Red eyes. 

Then they realize how much trouble they are in. It's a black shuck. A black monstrous sort of a creature, with legs hinged like a werewolf and eyes red as the searing fire. It is said that one look from its eyes to yours will bring you a slow, agonizing death in a year, it hypnotizes you and takes you as its prisoner. so, while trying to outrun it, you have to control your emotions. Be numb.

Unfortunately, one of the twelve men Niran travels with could not control his fear and was lured away by the creature's magic and he was gone, doomed to a painful death in just a year of time. Cause it is always the promise of forever and the never-ending life that withers the soul. And that was just what happened.

They started moving quickly heading to the forest's exit and they were able to leave peacefully with no more casualties.