The Reformation Wars: The Trump of Ibis

Chapter 2

Sixteen uneventful days came and went for Dustin and his party as they made their way back to Monterayne. The countrysides of Vtusen and Trakmensat rolled by until they came to a stretch of Innutukian territory which they made haste to pass through. Then a pleasant day traveling through Monterayne's northern territory of Aroria before coming to the mountain ring itself.

Night fell as Dustin and his men navigated the winding pass that cut a narrow path through Monterayne's protective mountain barrier. Bound in by jagged rocks on every side, with unforgiving terrain under foot, he called for the procession to stop until morning light returned to aid them. As the prince slept that night, his dreams were filled with images of his beloved, Serena Delquez.

Before long, morning came, and after a hasty breakfast, the men resumed working through the maze. Now and again, Dustin clambered to the top of some precipice to get a look at the path ahead, and one such time, his heart leapt within him upon spotting the lush forests on the outskirts of Monterayne's proper territory. They didn't have far to go before the mountains were behind them.

In about an hour's time, Dustin and his men trod underneath the canopy of tall trees his father must have spent countless hours playing under in his younger days. They could have stopped to eat a midday meal, but after some discussion, the party opted to make haste for the capital and eat a late lunch or early supper with their friends and family instead.

The sun had begun to hang its shining head by the time Dustin and his comrades reached the capital. They marched proudly down the streets alongside their tired horses and accepted a warm welcome from citizens small and great. Dustin grinned widely upon spotting a little girl squeezing out of the crowd and leaping into the arms of one of his men. The reunited father and daughter beamed with happiness.

Dustin got his own taste of reunion shortly after when his beloved pushed her way out of the throng and jogged closer. She threw her arms around Dustin once she reached him, and he returned the favor. The tickling sensation of her mouth on his cheek sent chills down his back.

"I've missed you so much." Dustin said before pecking Serena on the forehead in return.

Serena's rosy lips pulled into one of her alluring smiles, so full of warmth and kindness, but also reserved and subtle. No matter how troubled Dustin's mind, one look at that smile could set him at ease. Whether she meant to or not, it only took Serena a moment to reassure the man she loved that everything would be alright.

"Me too." she finally replied, "At times, I feared you'd never return."

"I always do." Dustin chided playfully, "What is the state of things here?"

"The happenings of interest are out west; you know this. Some Danlashian representatives visited not long ago to complain that they weren't given a larger share of the Alcontean heartland, but your father told them to go kick stones."

"They have no room to complain whatsoever. They only have any holdings on the mainland because their raiders proved such a nuisance that it was more prudent to give them territory than to fight their ships off every time. I'm sure the fate of the heartland displeases you as much as me."

Serena shrugged. "I do love my homeland, but I've seen it change hands too many times to be shaken when it happens again. I was born in a republic, witnessed the imperial takeover in my adolescence, and now watch the territory get divided by its neighbors as a grown woman. Whoever rules it, my homeland remains as beautiful as ever."

Dustin snaked his arm around her and laid another kiss on her forehead. "You are aptly named. I could count on one hand the times I've seen a look of wrath on your face."