The Red Cape

VII.

Volume II.

The wind blew Rose's shiny auburn hair behind her, and the spray of the sea lightly sprinkled her face.

The sun shined down on the Dauntless and Rose stood at the deck of the ship, looking at the glassy sea that surrounded them.

Hunter came up from below deck and looked around for Rose. He spotted her and walked toward her.

He placed his hand on the railing, "What is our plan once we arrive in Trailia?" He looked at her with a questioning look set upon his brown eyes.

She drew her eyes away from the water, and faced him, "I have to speak to someone there, and then, hopefully, we can stay there for awhile."

He frowned, "How long would we stay?"

Rose looked back at the water. "I can't be sure," she said carefully.

Hunter nodded.

"Approaching Trailia!" One of the crew members shouted.

Hunter was about to walk away from Rose, when she grabbed his wrist.

"How long do you think it'll be before we get there?" she asked him.

He scratched his head in thought. "At this speed? About an hour."

She nodded. "We should get ready then," she said.

They went below deck and collected their things, Rose folded all of her garments and placed them in her satchel. She tucked the Quols safely away in the pouch of her satchel, and she buttoned her grey cloak around her self.

She took out bread rolls and a bit of cheese she took from the inn and handed a roll with cheese to Hunter, whom took it with thanks.

She ate the roll and cheese, took out her canteen, and took a large swig, then handed it to Hunter who drained some as well.

"Are you ready?" Rose asked him.

He nodded.

Rose had an uneasy look on her face, she did her best to hide her frustration, but she couldn't help her feeling of worry.

Hunter noticed it slightly, but said nothing, for he did not want to upset Rose.

They approached the docks, and a village full of people was visible. An unusually shiny looking palace was just above the village in the distance. A great forest stretched beyond it.

The palace caught Hunter's eye, he squinted at it, looking closely in concentration.

"Is that palace-" he started.

"-Made of glass?" Rose finished. "Yes, it is." She looked uneasy still.

Hunter frowned, "Why-"

"This kingdom is called the Kingdom of Glace. It means glass, so the king decided to indulge the opportunity to fit the palace to its name." Rose explained.

"Oh," Hunter said, "So how exactly-"

"Entering Trailia!" A crew member's voice echoed about the ship.

"Get ready," Rose said.

Hunter nodded. The Dauntless was anchored; Rose and Hunter jumped off onto the dock, and made their way to the gates of the kingdom.

There were soldiers guarding the tall, iron gate, and one of them put an arm out in front of Rose and Hunter as they approached the gate.

The soldier was dressed in all black armor, and black boots.

"Tax must be paid to enter the gate," he said firmly.

"What?" Rose looked taken aback.

"What is the cost?" Hunter asked.

"Three Eulons," the guard said.

Rose reached in her cloak hand handed the guard three of the small cold coins. The guard nodded to the others at the gate, and they opened it.

Rose and Hunter walked through, and Rose frowned.

"That's strange," she said. "The gates weren't guarded when I visited here last. Nor was there any tax to be collected."

"You can most likely thank Queen Noire for that. She's been terrorizing colonies in Laëte for the past few months, from what I've heard." Hunter explained.

Rose scowled, "That sounds like exactly the thing she'd do."

Hunter looked at her thoughtfully. "You seem to know her more than you claim to," he said.

"I know as much as I need to," Rose said.

They walked down the streets of the village, there were people milling around the streets, children were playing, and people were taking down their clothes from the line.

Rose lead the way through the thin street ways, Hunter trailing behind her.

"Where are we going?" Hunter asked Rose.

"To talk to someone," Rose answered plainly.

They rounded a corner, into a thinner, darker alley. Rose took a deep breath and started forward.

Hunter walked beside her gingerly, "Why-"

Suddenly, dark figures rushed toward them from farther in the alley. One of them grabbed Rose, and another attempted to take Hunter, but Hunter swatted him away, and tried to go after Rose.

"Rose! Rose!" Hunter shouted desperately.

Rose struggled a bit under the hard grip of the figures, trying to get back to Hunter.

"Hunter, I-" a bag was put over her head, and she went limp.

"ROSE!" Hunter shouted again, struggling more, "Ro-"

A bag was then put over his head, he tried to scream or shout once more, but he inhaled a sweet smell.

He slumped down and blacked out.