A Tale of Two Daggers

Chapter 4: Confrontation

The carriage began the long journey to the capital city.

21 girl, whom Diana was the last of them. Afraid, shaken, and crying. Unable to face their fear of the nameless future ahead. All they were thinking of were their parents. The poor couples who just lost a piece of their family and had to move on without them.

However, Diana was different. She was consumed with what her father had concealed in her clothes during their last hug. She could feel the considerable weight that invaded her pocket.

She curiously buried her hands in her clothes, her fingers touched a glassy soft surface joint with a small chain. She looked left and right, making ten times sure that no one was watching her intently.

When the coast appeared safe. She pulled it out.

Realizing what it is, her eyes widen in admiration. It was a fire-shaped ruby necklace. A thing that she had never seen before.

She examined it purposely. The red mirror of the ruby was mirroring her curious eyes.

It was beautiful and reflective. She didn't know why her father wanted her to have it. It could be a reminder of her true identity. The sole daughter of protector Richard Onakran. Not a slave. Not a maid. Or a follower of whatever lurks ahead. 

But again, wouldn't her dagger be enough? So Why would he give her such high price piece of jewellery coinciding with her captivity? Could it be linked to her destination? She was sure that she hadn't any enough money to pay for even one day in the inns in the capital, where the prices could buy Endora 20 times over. And for that, a good baragin would be in order if the worse took place.

With only the glaring light of the cloudless moon in the heavens. The journey to the capital began. It took about 6 gruesome hours by a carriage pulled by two strong horses. Where the journey was nothing short of a nightmare. The road was full of cracks and rocks, so the carriage was shaking every now and then, thus making it difficult to rest or sleep inside it.

Thus continued the march towards the largest city in the kingdom...

Canterpool...

The Rich capital of the kingdom where the royal palace in addition to all ministries.

Inside that moving prison, there was dead silence looming within, none of 'em was in a mood to talk. There was nothing to discuss about, even if there was, the girls were too weary to speak about it.

The carriage, escorted by a line of calvaries led by the captain at the front, went through numerous terrains: Flat roads, Rough forest paths then the paved stone surface of the clean streets, welcoming and assuring them that they have entered the city.

It was large and cheerful. There were good-looking people on all sides. Rich people judge by their outfits.

It was Fascinating to the simple girls how the city was full of lights even at a late hour like this. People were very different from the people in their town. They were clean and had a fancy way of talking. They saw generous architectural art in the tall houses made of brick and stone. They were only accommodated in simple huts or poor-quality wooden houses for better equipped families.

It was an entirely new world for them.

Toward the horizon, The palace stood itself out as an unbreakable stronghold on top part of the city, surrounded by walls and towers. While Guards were everywhere, watching every corner of the place.

"Open the gates!" Captain Liam shouted to the gatekeepers.

And so did happen. Two massive doorways were opened revealing the excessive amount of security and royal guards behind it. But also showed a vast garden where enormous fields of flowers and trees were spanned all around them. It was a caged paradise yet so sacred for any commoner to touch.