The Land of Penama

Chapter 3

 We go through the gates and are let into the hall. When they see me they all look very shocked, even the guards. It's very amusing.

"Holland?" Almost all of them say at the same time. The princess stands and looks to Lorio who shakes his head. I can't help myself and laugh. I quickly pull it together though and bow my head to Nemophila.

"If I may be let through your esteemed majesty." I say quietly, watching her.

"Of course." she says and they move aside. I slowly approach the stairs and pause at the bottom and hand my knife over to a guard. The others quickly pat me down and I approach.

"Nevermind the formal words Holland. Tell me how you came to the meeting with them?" The King says. I've only spoken to him on a handful of occasions but like I said, everyone likes me. I glance back and know she doesn't want me to say a word about the legend, that is a prophesy of me.

"Well I was walking out when they were coming in and I greeted them with their elf, nature? Anyways we struck up a conversation and I asked if I would go to Lucio with them, since I've always wanted to go, and they agreed." I say and Lorio rolls his eyes then looks to Princess Kina and the King.

"May I?" he whispers. They both nod and he turns to me.

"How come you always get into trouble you stupid idiot?" he says and I smile.

"But you know I was born trouble." I say slowly turning serious and he stares me down now frowning.

"You know that's not true." he says and pats his shoulder. We got a matching pair of tattoos of a dragon a few years back. We promised we'd always have each other's backs after defeating one together. Our little secret. We wouldn't hesitate to kill whoever shed the bled of each other.

"Partially true." I say he sighs.

"Ok maybe a bit." he says and I smile. He smiles back.

"So, are you planning to leave right after the meeting?" he asks and I glance back at the Princess. She nods.

"Looks like it." I say.

"Then Lorio can escort you to your place, then out of town." The Princess says and looks to the King who nods. The guard who's going to take Lorio's place steps up and Lorio hands him the spear. I can sense Princess Nemophilas displeasure. I raise my hand for him to stop.

"Are you ok with him coming my liege?" I say and she smiles. Her eyes do at least.

"Of course I don't." I turn back to him and grin. Princess Kina stands and comes down the few steps to me her guards moving with her.

"Holland, I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of almost everyone in town when I say, we'll miss you." she whispers and puts her hand on my arm. If we weren't in other's presence I'm certain she would pull me into a hug. She's a sentimental one.

"I'm going to miss everyone too." I say and smile at her. After that we all leave. I walk in the back with Lorio.

"So. Did you really just meet them?"

"Of course." I say. How would I even get to meet an elf aside from a chance encounter like this?

"You're already taken with the Princess. You who has girls all over the place and always turn them down." he says going straight to the point.

"Why do you think that?" I ask. He just gives me a look.

"Well I'm going with them to Lucio. I have to follow what she says. I must defer to her and what she wants to do. You should know that." I say nonchalantly. I'm not giving myself away. I'm almost certain all of the elves are listening to our conversation. They do have extraordinary hearing.

"Excuse me then." he says annoyed. I wrap an arm around him.

"Hey. I don't wanna fight before I leave." he nods sighing. I smile.

"Sometimes you wonder why you put up with me. Huh?" I say pulling him close and into a headlock. He laughs and easily pries my arms open.

"Let's get going." he says. We get to my place and I pack up my things. After that I go see the building owner and pay my rent then say goodbye. Lorio walks with us to the edge of town where we stop.

"So, you know how long you'll be gone?"

"Probably a couple months. Don't know for sure."

"I'm gonna miss you causing trouble." I smile.

"Only for you." I say. We nod then I turn and go into the fold of the elves. Owltree saddles up next to me, the Princess behind us and we start walking. It's completely silent as we do. After a mile the Princess speaks.

"This is far enough. Let's teleport now." Owltree grabs my arm.

"Hold onto me. Don't want you to get separated from me when we teleport." he says gruffly. I nod. We teleport to the edge of Lucio forest and I smile. This is going to be a great adventure I can tell my kids about.