Untitled Princess Carolyn Project

Chapter 11

Our two-day detour with Belleth and Jessa turned into a two-week detour. Jackal finally declared it our last night when we started on week three of staying with them. So, this morning Belleth and Jessa have put together a small care package for the three of us. It has a week's worth of clothing for each of us, a week's worth of food and water, a small hatchet, 20 yards of rope, three sleeping bags, money for each country (including the Temporades), and a map with safe places for us to stay marked along the path to several major Old Opelan cities.

The Opelan part of Norlin has been renamed Old Opela until one of the Norlin princes officially takes over. So now we're headed to Old Opela. Unfortunately, most of the cities there are still being heavily guarded against outsiders and ailos of any kind. So if we want to find out where the Vex is we'll have to break in and hack into their computers.

Jackal throws the bag they gave us over his back and thanks Belleth and Jessa for their hospitality and kindness.

"Don't mention it. You helped us with our farm and you were great company to have. Please stay safe you three." Jessa responds with her usual sweet smile.

We all take turns hugging Belleth and Jessa and Perellies sniffles.

"Aw, don't cry sweet one." Jessa bends down, "I packed a couple cookies just for you." She whispers loudly.

Perellies smiles and Jessa walks back inside.

"Remember, don't let any Onekan guards see you. They're all over the town today. The places marked in green are ailos towns where you'll be safe to roam. The ones marked in red are the places where the guards and soldiers there will hurt you. Still be cautious in the green places. Onekan guards have been popping up a lot more. Even here there's a lot more than there were when you first got here. Just-" She stops herself and takes a deep breath. "Be careful, please." She adds finally.

"We will, I promise." I assure her.

Belleth nods tearfully, giving each of us one last hug before waving goodbye. We make our way down the street and right before we turn the corner I look back one last time. Belleth is still out waving, so I wave back. One last time.

My heart aches as I finally leave her sight, knowing we won't ever see Belleth and Jessa again. Perellies grabs my hand and I wipe a tear off of her cheek. Even Jackal sniffles a little.

Belleth was right, there's so many Onekan guards roaming the streets. The three of us have to dive into alley ways, hide in crowds of people, take detours, and run backwards just to avoid being seen. It takes us almost the whole day just to get out of the town because of how many guards there are.

There's a long road leading out of the town and conveniently right through one of the towns that Belleth marked as safe. The road has the thick treeline of the forest on either side. So the three of us walk along the road, staying hidden in the trees. We wait until the sun is really about to set.

I was carrying the water, Perellies was carrying the sleeping bags, and Jackal was carrying everything else. I set down my stuff to help Jackal set up a small shelter while Perellies starts our fire. We only have it burning for a little, since we don't want to attract attention to ourselves. Jackal makes three beef sandwiches and distributes them to perellies and I. Once we've finished we put out the fire and pile into the makeshift shelter.
"According to Belleth, the town we're heading to is about a one day walk. So we should make it there by sunset tomorrow or slightly earlier." I say, examining the map.

"I doubt we'll find people like Belleth and Jessa again, though. We'll have to find an inn." Jackal says.

"Are we in Onekmont still? What kind of currency would they take?"