The Knight and the Peasant [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 31 Pt II

The princess had readily agreed to Salvador's invitation and they were in the carriage on the outskirts of Grenaserrat, just about to pass under the city walls when the guards above them pointed at something in the sky behind them. Salvador peered out the window and managed to see a flaming bolt from a ballista streaking through the sky just above the Grenaserrat docks.

His heart slowly began to pick up in pace and he caught Tomas's gaze, who was sitting at the other side of Emma. He nodded almost imperceptibly, but the soldier caught it. A light of understanding shone in his eye.

"What was it?" the princess asked.

Salvador shrugged. "A flock of toucans. The guards find them strange."

"Toucans?"

Salvador smiled. "Colorful birds. Which to be fair, is a general description of all the birds in the Caraíbes. Do you mind if you urge the driver to go a tad bit faster."

Emma gave him a questioning look but he simply nodded. "Axel! Speed the carriage up but a bit!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" the driver replied and Salvador felt them pick up the pace. The carriage behind them was filled with soldiers of the Seeker Company. They would pick up the pace as soon as they saw their own carriage doing so.

They rode in silence for a bit more. But Salvador could see Emma wanted to say something.

"What is it, Princess?" he prodded.

Emma blushed faintly. "I sincerely apologize for my brother's... actions this morning."

Salvador waved her off. "I've dealt with a few of his type. He does not faze me."

But Emma did not stop. "You don't understand. He isn't cruel just to be cruel.... Well maybe he is sometimes. But he wants control. He needs domination. He has to have everyone know he's in charge."

Salvador noticed Tomas frowned.

"And... it's hard," Emma continued. "He doesn't always have the control he craves. He tries to act like it, but in truth he knows that he is simply a battleground for the rival factions within the House of Lords." The Princess was sad. Salvador could see that much.

The air was dry. Incredibly dry. And so was the grass. Just glancing out of the carriage, Salvador could see that. Such dry air was not common in the Caraíbes, a place of high humidity and rain. But in the past few weeks, it had not even rained once. Odd. But Salvador knew the signs.

It was the calm before the storm.

It was coming soon. Any day now. Maybe even today. He had to act now.

"Perhaps one day, I shall see where you were raised, Salvador," Emma said. A statement, as if she wholly believed her brother would conquer all of Sersalvon.

Not if I have something to say about it. "Fiorá?"

She looked at him, confused. "Sapinsville."

Salvador shook his head sadly. "My father was killed, remember? I had to flee to Fiorá. I was born in Sapinsville, but I was raised in the training grounds of Springwater Hall."

Her lips formed a small O. Then, her expression became one of resolve. "When my brother subjugates Sersalvon, I'll make sure to deliver justice to the Lord of Sapinsville."

Salvador took in a deep breath. It was the first time someone had every vowed to help him on his vendetta. It wasn't necessary for Gerard to say it, he knew the Freelancer Knight would follow him down the Path to Perdition and back.