A Tale of Crown and Country

Lea

They left Ilane far behind, along with the number of strange interactions, explosive reactions, and condemning conflicts that had gone on between the pair of travellers. Lea and Arlan trotted their horses out of the western gate as the sun began its downwards arc towards the earth. Once they got out onto more open road, with less carts, people, and carriages, they could move a lot faster without fear of running any over, or off the road.

    With everything off her chest and figurative blue skies ahead, Lea felt more at ease than she'd been since leaving Aldira. Perhaps even since her mother had died. Cool breezes off Lake Ayera complemented the growing hot air. They were once again heading towards dry, heat-stricken lands. If they continued west towards Jayakan they'd reach a sort of desert land, deserted, that neither country really wanted to own. If they went north they'd reach the rich soils and misted hills of Reightneir. In the summer she figured it wasn't too bad up there, but Lea would never willingly travel there in the winter. She just wasn't built for it.

    As much as Lea wanted the best for her friend, she also wanted to learn as much as she could about Arlan's decisions before letting him run off to Vastran. She probably had more knowledge of the place anyways. Maybe she could convince him to wait a bit, learn some more, then make a concrete decision. If he'd run on a whim like she had maybe he needed more time to completely understand himself and his choices.

    They travelled mostly in silence until dusk began to settle over the plains that spread out like grassy floors to either side of the road. Arlan announced they were almost there, and that they could slow down if they must, to make sure the horses didn't get too tired.

    Over the horizon a bustling carriage came racing towards them. They slowed and moved out of the middle of the road, as the carriage, as it approached, appeared to be much larger than most. Gaudy gold plating and extravagant colours covered the outside of the carriage, and Lea had no trouble imagining the interior looked about the same.

    The carriage slowed as it drew up beside them. Arlan and Lea did the same when a man hopped out from behind a strangely shaped door. As the carriage was squarely in the middle of the road, essentially blocking traffic on both sides with its tall wheels and wide frame, they assumed it was in trouble, and stopped beside it.

    A squat man in an elaborately detailed vest that barely buttoned around his torso stepped down the two rickety steps form the carriage to the ground. A full tuft of hair, like the fluff of a rabbit, sat precariously on top of his head. His eyes seemed too small for his face and his cheeks were almost entirely devoid of laugh lines.

    "You there," he pointed to Arlan and Lea, the only people in sight. "You are familiar with this area?"

    Arlan and Lea looked between one another. Lea wasn't sure what was going through his mind, but from his expression it was pretty close to her own thoughts. This man was obviously either extremely wealthy or worked for someone who was. Either way, he spoke with a Jayaki accent, and sounded very demanding. They both dismounted and Arlan spoke to the man, surprising Lea.

    "We are," he confirmed. Lea couldn't tell if it was a full lie or only a partial one. For all she knew Arlan had been out this way many times before.

    "Excellent. Wait here a moment."

    Lea wondered where they would go. She peered around Arlan's mare, not wanting to upset the careful balance on the road by moving her horse too much around. A ditch separated the road from the flowing, grassy fields that spread out like wildflowers under the sun on either side of the road. She did not want either horse to hurt themselves in the ditch.

    The man turned his back to them and knocked on the carriage door. A moment later, a second man emerged. He was tall, handsome, and utterly familiar. An ornate sword was strapped to his waist, though Lea couldn't see how that would be comfortable in the confines of a carriage.  A strikingly blue vest bounced off his red blouse; he was the human embodiment of wealth and class. He looked down his pointed nose at them, and Lea averted her eyes.