The Scarlet Scepter

Chapter Thirteen (Revised)

Cepheus was right. I had no idea where we came from and where we were going. It felt like Enyo all over again. As we walked, we also searched for food.

I wasn't trying to ignore Cyrus anymore, not intentionally, even though I admit it was awkward for me. I keep reminding myself that he didn't like me at all, and that he was a fictional character, but it didn't help one bit, so I just pretended that he wasn't important, that he's just someone I had to work with, since he seemed like he was doing the same.

Ten days, huh? The shrubs were now getting thicker, and I saw steep cliffs that overlooked a river. The water was quite fast, and if I fell off the cliff, I would be dead and I wouldn't even hit rock bottom. I didn't realize I was staring at the chasm and Cepheus had to call my name several times. Cyrus and Celia were looking at us a few yards away.

"What were you looking at?"

"The water." As I said it, I remembered how he jumped into the water. "Cepheus, I want to thank you for saving me."

He seemed confused. "You thanked me already."

"I wanted to thank you again." I hugged him as tight as I could, and he stayed still. "Thank you," I whispered. I released him, and his eyes seemed to shine.

"No. Thank you," he whispered back.

"Jabal was right when he said that it was impossible to make it to Sapiro and back to Seriah within days, wasn't he?" I decided to ask them outright. I couldn't take it any longer. No matter what the General would say, it would be impossible to reach Sapiro in time.

Cyrus and Cepheus were silent and refused to meet my eyes.

My heart sank. "Answer me," I pleaded them.

Cyrus spoke up. "But as Cepheus said, we couldn't just stand there waiting for war, and we could not march to Eirene either."

"But as Celia told us about the power of the Scepter, if we at least reach Sapiro at the tenth day, then we can make it," Cepheus added. He brought out a sword that was sheathed in his belt. I have never noticed it, probably because he was hiding it all along. The blade was thin and long, but unlike Cyrus's dagger, it had no inscriptions in it. He stared at it for a while, and sheathed it into his girdle.

"Why ten days? I pondered over it, but if Eirene knew that it was impossible, why did King Altair give us ten? Why not lesser days, in order for us to surrender instead?"

"Maybe he knew it was futile," Cepheus suggested. "Or–"

They stared at me in shock, but I could see I struck something.

"Speak," I said. Celia was also looking at them.

Cepheus looked completely troubled. "I never thought–"

"How could I have been so stupid? The whole kingdom is in danger!" Cyrus cried in sudden alarm and disgust of himself.

I gritted my teeth. "Could you at least tell me something? Please."

Cepheus inhaled. "Are you up for another story, Annaliese?"

"According to legend, long ago, the four kingdoms were just one nation, living in harmony. The nation was made up of four tribes. There was no king, no queen, and the people decided what to do. I do not know what exactly happened, but it was said that something caused the tribes to drift apart.