we make our way to a large mannor by the boarder before changing course once again, heading deeper into the kingdom of Clarines. it takes us 4 days to reach the capital of Clarines and thats when we lose her trail because of all the people who live in the city. we learned on the second day of our search that whoever Shirayuki joined had rode on horseback so they had arrived three days before us. so Shirayuki could be anywhere by now.
i decided to stop looking for her for the rest of the day and head out to find a inn that we could stay in that wouldnt mind Shep being in the building. we eventrally found one and bought some food in the tavern before retireing for the night.
my wary body gladly accepting the straw mattress and i let out i low groan of satisfaction as i lay on the bed, Shep joining me with a content snort. i admit its not the best bed out there but it feels like heaven when you've been sleeping on the hard ground for days on end.
it didnt take long for us to drift off to sleep, only to wake before dawn the next morning. we skip breakfast due to the tavern not being open and make our way outside to search the town for Shirayuki.
little did we know that she was on the other side of the city closer to the castle and we are curently on the outskirts of the city that has over 1000 people dwelling in it (i have no idea how many actually live in it so i just guessed).
we spent a good three weeks looking for Shirayuki in the city and i was just about ready to give up when Shep caught her sent for the first time since we arrived in the city. we followed it determined to find her at any cost. her sent lead us to the royals castle, well this just got interesting.
i casually walk up to the guards at the gate and i notice them eyeing me sudpitiously and i cant help the smile that spread across my face.
"you wouldnt perhaps know a young girl named Shirayuki?" i ask them striaght up and they look at each other before turning their attention back to me.
"how do you know Miss. Shirayuki?" one of the guards asked both of them eyeing me sceptically.
"we are close friends" i simply state like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
they just stood there for a moment debateing weather or not they shoud let me in.
"Alex, there is a wagon approching" Shep gently growls at me and the guards tense up at the sound.
"Shep" i say putting out my hand, he underdtands and he moves off to the trees that line the road as the wagon comes into sight. i follow Shep and we stand aside as the two guards let the man pulling the cart through the gates before closeing it quickly behind him.
"anyway that i can see Shirayuki?" i ask the guards and they slowly shake their heads.
"the prince and Miss. Shirayuki have gone to a small town in the mountains and will be gone for a few more days at least." one of them says and i just slowly nod my head.
"i undersand" i turn to shep and walk over to one of the trees and sit on its roots as Shep follows and lays down on the grass. " we will wait for her to return" i simply say as i begin to stroke Sheps fur. the guards exchange glances before looking back at me.
"your not seriously going to sit there till they return are you?" they ask and give them a look that says ' are you crazy?' before turning my attention back to Shep.
"we can wait as long as it takes" i simpy say and they dont speak to us anymore.
during the day we hang around the gate waiting for then to come up the road and at night we venture farther into the trees to find a place to rest for the night while eating some of our provisions that i keep in the bag slung over my shoulder which also contains my bow and knives.
in the early afternoon on the third day lottering around the castle gate Shep senses horse and Shirayuki's sent and we leave the gate and start up the road conceling ourselves in the trees so we can surprise her when we come close. we didnt get very far when they came into sight.
"Shep go" i whisper into his ear and her walks onto the path a few meters away from the horses and all the riders start to panic and draw their swords. " i do hope your not planing to hurt my dear friend" i say as i walk up to Shep and Shirayuki looks suprised.
"Alex!?" Shirayuki asks with a confused look on her face.
"who else would i be?" i ask as i send her a small smile.
"you know this girl?" a white haired boy who looks to be the same age as Shirayuki asks her and i cant help but let out a small laugh. which in turn makes them look confused.
"i am a woman not a girl" i simply state and i can see Shirayuki trying to supress a laugh. " Anyway we have been looking for you everywhere Shirayuki" i say concern finding its way into my tone
"i never thought you would even follow me here" she simply says
"well we have its been a while, we started the day you left. it took longer than i thought it would" i sigh and lean over to pat Sheps head. "you looks tired" i say taking note on her appearence. " i'll meet you in the marketplace tomorrow afternoon" i simply say before turning and with Shep by my side we walk back into the trees.
we spend the night in a inn just out side the market place.
this chapters a bit long... i noticed that i tend to write longer chapters at night....
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Ragged Royal
FanfictionNo longer writing Alex, is a young woman who wishes for nothing but freedom to come and go as she pleases. Never having to settle in one place for longer than she sees fit. The only family she has is now spread out, creating families of their own...
