Lost Ones - A False King

Chapter 13 - True Heroes

On the way back to the carriage, Lina takes full blame and responsibility.
She speaks calmly but firmly, repeatedly pointing to herself, while Emmod and Novel walk silently behind her with their heads lowered.
She apologizes for playing hide and seek after Enryn had fallen asleep and Vyncent had been far away. It was she who didn't want to tell the two of them, so she could play peacefully with Emmod and Novel, and it was only her who insisted on finding out what the gravestone was all about, even though Emmod and Novel advised against it.
Enryn and Vyncent don't know that the events happened differently. That's why they accept her apology and leave Emmod and Novel in peace.
'What matters is that you're safe,' Enryn says, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder before turning away.
Lina blinks in surprise, while Emmod and Novel exchange questioning glances, raising their eyebrows. They had expected an entirely different reaction, even from Vyncent.
But in his thoughts, the unease about the discovery of the grave still lingers. Even the fact that Enryn, as a royal guard, simply fell asleep doesn't seem to bother him. He just wants to leave this place as quickly as possible.
Enryn, on the other hand, is more upset with himself than with the fact that Lina disappeared. Although he's greatly relieved to know she's safe, his thoughts now circle around the possibility that his position as a royal guard could come to a quick end if anyone found out about his lack of vigilance.
Nevertheless, Enryn has greater worries at the moment than losing his rank as a royal guard.

Near the harbor, several dozen people are gathered with Nikolas, curious and alarmed by the royal carriage at the roadside.
Nikolas made no effort to keep a low profile, as he didn't know that Enryn had overslept and missed their meeting—Nikolas wouldn't have done so anyway.
The quintet takes cover behind some trees, just a few meters away from the carriage.
"What do we do now?" Lina whispers tensely.
"I'll handle it," Enryn says decisively and heads toward the carriage.
The four watch him intently.
He is able to push his way through the crowd relatively easily, since no one knows he belongs to the royal guard, because he's new to the post and isn't wearing the guard's uniform.

"Are you mad?" the quartet hears someone grumble. And it could only be one person. Nikolas is beside himself when Enryn stands in front of him and tells everyone present what a disgrace Enryn is. In no time at all, all eyes are on him. 

Enryn knows that Nikolas would have been even harsher with him if he had found out he had fallen asleep. But for now, he needs to deal with the crowd.
"If you're looking for the prince and the princess..." Enryn begins without hesitation, "...they're over there by the beach," he says casually, directly to Nikolas, whose eyes widen in surprise.
"Damn," Enryn mutters regretfully under his breath before the crowd immediately rushes off in the direction he pointed.
"And this guy calls himself a royal guard!" Nikolas exclaims in disbelief.
"Come on, after them!" he shouts. "Or do you want to keep staring into the void like a lunatic while they—"
"Well done, Enryn," Vyncent says, appearing with the others behind him, causing Nikolas to fall silent in confusion. The four quickly hop into the carriage before anyone notices them.
"Come on, Nikolas. Or do you want to keep staring into the void like a lunatic?" Vyncent adds before closing the side door.
Nikolas is stunned.
"Thanks for playing along," Enryn adds, patting him on the shoulder.
"Clever guy," Nikolas responds, sitting down beside him.
"You played your part well," Enryn replies ironically before turning serious again. "Our trip ends earlier than planned. Instructions from the prince."

Toward the end of the ride back, Vyncent makes them an offer.
"Shall we take you home?" he suggests. "It would be a detour for you to come to the castle first and then walk home from there, wouldn't it?"
It's an unexpected offer, but Vyncent hopes that by making another quick stop at the Brymbach residence, he might learn more about their family.
"No, thanks, we can walk from here," Novel replies, causing Vyncent to narrow his eyes, not particularly pleased and suspicious of his motives.
"You don't want to ride in the carriage. You don't want any food from us. You don't want us to take you home. Do you think you're too good for us?!" he asks, incredulous.
"No, no," Emmod steps in, "That's not it. We're very grateful for your hospitality," he says, "But it's just that... uh, ..."
"We know the area so well that we can find our way even in the dark," Novel finishes his brother's sentence.
"You know your way even in the dark?" Vyncent asks, puzzled.
"Because we know this place so well," Emmod clarifies. "Almost better than our own home."
"Know the steps," Novel adds with a forced laugh.
Vyncent gives them a sharp look.
"Alright," he says with a shrug, tapping on the front window, causing the carriage to slow down and come to a stop.
"What?!" Lina jumps in, her eyes wide open. "It'll be dark by the time you get home. Are you sure you don't want us to take you?" she asks, concerned.
"Let them be, Lina, they're old enough," Vyncent says. "If they want to walk, it's not our problem."
"But...,"
Enryn opens the door.
"Everything alright?" he asks, uncertain.
"The two are getting out," Vyncent says nonchalantly, gesturing to the brothers, prompting Enryn to look at them in surprise.
But now, they have no choice but to follow through.
"We know this place really well," Emmod says, stepping out of the carriage. Novel follows him.
Enryn's bewildered gaze shifts from the Brymbachs to the Elmharts.
Vyncent shrugs again, and Lina shows understanding.
She also steps out of the carriage to say goodbye.
"Today was really nice," she says, smiling with bright eyes. "Thank you for making it possible."