Chapter Seven- The Travel Begins
Gavin woke earlier than usual on the day of the Travel. Just as the night before, he had gotten no sleep, and he had gotten ready feeling exhausted. His body was sore and his nose had lost all feeling from being clogged up with that strange smell.
Even though he felt terrible, Gavin could feel the tension in his body loosen and the exhaustion melt away from him as he and his progress made their way towards town.
Finnian rode up to Gavin and said, "You look terrible, m'lord." His friend seemed worried.
"Just sleepless these past couple nights. But I'm feeling better now." Gavin smiled reassuringly. He reached back into his saddlebag and grabbed his pouch of wine. He drank the sweet liquid and felt himself get a bit stronger. They were getting close to town, and the smell was getting heavier in the air, and the soreness in his body was lessening.
"Do you want to talk about yesterday?" Finnian asked quietly so no one else could hear. It was customary for the king and his advisor to talk about the topics discussed at The Summit. However, this time, Gavin was a bit hesitant to discuss it.
"So you heard everything?" Gavin asked tensely.
"Yes. Are you worried?"
"Should I be, Finn?"
"It would be wise to be a bit cautious around and about your cousins," Finnian said slowly.
"Damn it, Finn! Be honest with me. Do I need to worry?" Gavin asked again, this time more emphatically.
Finnian was quiet for a few moments as they rode through the forest on the path to town. The trees were covered in beautifully green leaves, wet with dew. The forest floors were clear from debris and brown mud stuck to the horse's hooves as the entourage made their way through. Birds chirped and sang as they flew across the bright blue sky and rested on the long, thick tree branches. It was a beautiful day, and even though Gavin did feel better, he sensed this conversation was anything but good.
Finally, Finnian spoke up, "Talk of war is never good. Of course, we have enough soldiers and knights prepared to protect you, but enough to protect all of Brigantia? If one or all of your cousins decide to wage war, our part of the kingdom is desperately unprepared." Gavin nodded at Finnian's statement. He kept a straight face, but inside he was becoming frightened. He hadn't known the situation was so bad. At this point, war did not seem like an option to him and his kingdom.
"Can we prepare any troops? Should war arise?" Gavin asked, dreading the answer.
"Probably not. We can try recruiting men, but not without your cousin's spies finding out and informing them. Then, before we even begin preparing the men, war will have started and our kingdom will sink fast."
Gavin sighed and said, "Alright, thank you for your advice. But I think I will not think anymore on this today. I just want to forget everything for today."
"As you wish, Your Grace."
***
Gavin and his entourage made it into town when the sun was beginning to hide behind the mountain tops. As they rode, villagers stepped out of their homes to wave to the king and his retinue. Gavin waved back and smiled proudly to his people. The smell he had been sensing in the air the past two days was very strong now, but it wasn't painful anymore.
Gavin's party and he rode up to a small mansion as the Lord of the mansion came out with his wife and five children to greet the king.
"Lord Whittier," Finnian announced. Gavin jumped off of Blake's back and walked up to the Lord, his legs a bit wobbly from all the horseback riding.
"An honor, Your Grace." The Lord and his family bowed down to the king. "We are most anxious to give you wine and dine and let you rest and sleep at our home tonight, if it pleases m'lord."
"Thank you, Lord Whittier. I accept your invitation."
And so, Gavin and his retinue wined dined and slept at the Whittier's mansion. The next day, Whittier invited the king to hunt with him, and Gavin accepted.
He would hunt and have lunch with the Whittier's. But after that, nothing was going to stop him from finding the source of the smell that haunted him.
~
Author: hey guys! So sorry for taking so long on this chapter. I'm gonna be a bit busy from now on, and chapters are gonna be uploaded more slowly. But I will try my hardest to upload as soon as I can! Please hang on with me, I promise you won't be disappointed!!! THANKS! 1 of 1
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The Emery Chronicles: The White King's Woman (FIRST BOOK)
Storie d'amore(FIRST BOOK) In the mystical kingdom of Emery, four cousins rule side by side, haunted by an old prophecy that would bring their destruction. As one of the kings of Emery falls in love, he does not realize that his lover is a woman who is descended...
