Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 11: Cold

Harbor: Calradian Empire

Rhegaea still rode towards the Empire's harbor with Presciana and Alea in tow. They arrived at a large ship and a man came down. The man was recognized as Houndor, the ship's captain.

Houndor:
Aye I see you've arrive my empress.

Rhegaea:
Yes Captain, now be ready to sail for Sturgia.

Houndor nodded and walked back onto his ship. Rhegaea turned to her daughters, who still seemed unsettled by the decision.

Rhegaea:
Listen I know you don't wish to go to Sturgia but this is the only way.

Presciana:
Mother you know we can still fight. Just let us stay and help.

Rhegaea:
No it's not safe! I'm sorry this happened, but I promise we'll bring you back before you know it.

Despite the heated tension, Presciana and Alea did hug their mother goodbye. They then got onto the ship along with eight guards as the anchor raised. The ship slowly left the harbor and with it the empire. Houndor walked up placed a hand on Presciana's shoulder and got the attention of her and Alea.

Houndor:
Aye we won't be arriving at Sturgia til tomorrow mornin' so you two outta settle in. You'll be takin' the cabin below deck.

Presciana and Alea then enter the lower deck and walk into the cabin. Presciana goes to settled down but Alea turns to her.

Alea:
Stop acting like that.

Presciana:
Like what?

Alea:
Like nothing is wrong. We both no what mother said was wrong, we can still fight!

Presciana:
I'm not acting like that, I'm acting there's nothing we can do about it.

Alea:
But...

Presciana:
No! All we can do is wait. I wish it could be different but it isn't! Now let's just wait.

Alea finally calms down and sits down in the cabin with her sister. The ship arrived by the the next morning. Presciana and Alea left the ship along with the guards that accompanied them. They rode up to the gates of Balgard, the capital of Sturgia. A sturgian man at arms walks to the gates.

Guard:
Halt. Who goes there!

Soldier:
We are men of the empire. I believe your Grand Prince has agreed to watch over our princesses.

Guard:
Oh yes, the young empire princesses. Open the gate!

The gate opens and the group enters the city of Balgard. They now walk through the snowy lands dressed in bearskins to keep warm. They arrive at the wooden keep and enter the rather rugged throne room, the man on the throne having long unkept blonde hair and a long braided beard. He wore clothes made from animal skins and wore a golden circlet around his head.

Presciana:
Prince Harald, we have arrived.

Harald:
Aye and I see you've arrived. Well while Sturgia may be cold and not what your used to, I will keep you both safe. Now off with you I've got a hinting trip to get to.

Harald then walked away from the the throne room and out of the doors. Presciana and Alea set themselves down in Sturgia. While still getting used to the colder climate they still became angry with not being home for the war.

To be continued