The Karvaile Chronicles

Ojed Returns

A mysterious figure crept through the gardens outside Flora's estate one evening. And that figure only had one thing on his mind. I have to see Flora again.

He had been keeping her updated on Rylee's recovery after her surgery, but that infernal bodyguard always monitored their conversations, and it wasn't the same as seeing her in person anyway. He knew if he came to visit, Bri, Jenanine Blair, whoever she was, would be breathing down their necks the whole time. This sneaking around was the only way they could be alone.

Ojed Nahk kept his eye on the guard patrolling outside. The security on this place was ridiculous! He suspected Bri had something to do with that. Then again, it was warranted, considering all the horrible things that had happened lately due to the ever mysterious darkside groups that had been the talk of everyone as of late.

He noticed two guards with their backs to each other, walking in opposite directions, from his perch behind a bush. So he took his chance, and darted towards the building.

Ojed saw a large window with light streaming out of it. If he remembered correctly from the tour, in which they'd been shown all the rooms, that was her room. He started scaling the building. He may not be proud of his bounty hunter background, he did what he had to do to support Rylee, but the skills did come in handy sometimes.

A gentle tap on the window, and Flora, who was thankfully inside, whirled around. Confusion and fear were quickly replaced by shock and happiness as she saw it was him, and she ran to let him in.

"Ojed! What on Karvaile are you doing here?" she asked, confused, but clearly happy to see him. "How did you get past the guards?"

"I snuck by them. Bounty hunter, remember? Or, at least I was, I'm not sure I want to be any more. But that's not important. I need to see you Flora. I can't stop thinking about you."

"That was awfully risky Ojed. But... I am glad you're here."

He bent down and kissed her cheek as he stepped in the window. "Now that we can have a conversation without a certain bodyguard, there's something I need to know. That kiss you gave me. Did you mean it? You did a lot of laughing at Bri afterwards, did you do it just to annoy her?" he asked. Clearly, he had been worrying.

"I admit, I did enjoy Bri's reaction. But I truly meant it. Really."

"I had hoped so," he said with a grin, visibly relieved. "When was the last time you got out of your estate just for fun?"Ojed asked. "I've never seen you leave this place except for official matters. Everyone needs some fun now and then."

"Um, it has been a while," she admitted. "I went to a festival in Karven, but that was before, before Majest, well, you know."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about that, she was a wonderful Queen. But let's not think about that. I want to take you on a date. We can do whatever you want. I know everything there is to do in Karved, you name it, we do it."

"Really? That sounds amazing!" Flora exclaimed. But her excitement faded as quickly as it came. "But it would be foolish and dangerous for me to be out in the open like that. There are good reasons I have not been coronated, and why I have not been outside my estate. The darksider groups prowling the planet,the man who killed Majest. There are too many dangers out there."

"You could wear a disguise," he suggested after thinking a moment. "Then no one would know it was you. I know a lady who can help us out."

"I, well, it's risky. A disguise would protect me from anyone out to assasinate me. But what about the reactions of Firdun and Bri when they find out?"

"They'll never know. I'll have you back before anyone realizes you're missing. Do you trust me?" he asked, holding his hand out to her.

Flora stared for a moment, thinking. Then took his hand. "I trust you."