The Protected (Book 2)

Chapter 11: Happy

I could tell we were getting close to the kingdom of Garain by the blue viden flowers that grew in their neighbouring kingdom. It would probably take us another two days to reach their kingdom. I couldn't believe I had travelled a week with Mathew and survived without killing each other. Never in my life did I think we would become friends. I had shared with him things I had never even shared with my family. I felt comfortable with him. Like I could be myself without really getting judged, and the way Mathew reacted to all this was awe and interest. It was a feeling I loved and would never want to end. I hoped this friendship could really last beyond just this mission, I hoped he felt the same way as well.

"I don't want to jinx anything, but for someone who made a lot of fuss about this threat on my life, the only threat I've had was the possibility of a cold from our swim in that river," Mathew expressed.

I winced. Nothing good ever came from a person saying they didn't want to jinx anything. "I would call that luck. This mission wasn't a ploy to get us to get along, it was actually thought out. A big traveling party would draw attention and this whole mission has been very confidential. Very few know of it. It is only a matter of time before someone has heard and is out there looking for you."

"I just want this whole thing to be over with," he admit sounding gloomy. "As soon as those treaty papers are signed then there is nothing that can be done and this will all be over."

"Hey think of the positive side in all this. You have really improved with the lesson's I have given you over the past few days. You can tell your father all about it and how you had defeated me a few time which I will not admit to anyone in the guard but I will allow the king to know such knowledge," I said earning a laugh from the prince. Over the past couple of days, I would fit in an hour of fighting lessons other than the extra practice he had during meal times. He was a fast learner and I had to admit I was proud of my student. He did good.

"I have gotten pretty good right?" He smiled proudly to himself.

"Don't get too confident, there are still a few things we need to work on," I reminded him. To my surprise, every time I would give him a pointer he would actually listen to it instead of arguing with me. Our relationship has really changed over this mission.

"I guess there is a positive side to his marriage, I would never have become friends with you if it weren't for this mission," he pointed out.

I flashed him a grin liking the sound of that. My smile fell upon hearing a sound nearby. I held up my fist forcing the prince to stop. He opened his mouth to say something but I put my finger to my lips. I kept my ears open with my hand already reaching for my weapons. There was no further sound, it must have been an animal. I nodded my head forward gesturing for Mathew to follow me.

"What was that?" he asked.

"It seems like nothing, maybe an animal. Let's keep going to be safe," I ordered.

Long hours passed and the sun was about to set, we were both tired and hungry. I decided to set up camp for now. I made us some soup that I learned that Mathew was a big fan of.

"I love this stuff," he moaned taking another spoonful in.

I snickered at him taking a bite of it myself. I blew on the spoon of hot soup trying to cool it only to find Mathew staring at me intently.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He looked down quickly. "Nothing."

I put the spoon in my mouth savoring the taste. As I was removing the soup from my lips I noticed Mathew staring again with the same serious expression.