The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Kael and Riven departed from Saint-Aure. The last whispers of the fading eclipse still lingered in the air, casting a muted light across the land. They rode swiftly, the fresh morning wind tugging at their cloaks as they galloped into the Southern Plains.
The vast, open fields stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with wildflowers and the occasional stand of trees. Here and there, rustic villages rose like tiny islands amid the sea of grass, their wooden palisades worn but sturdy. The plains were peaceful, alive with the soft sounds of nature.
As they galloped, a small group of children most of them beastkin or other non-human species waved eagerly from the side of the road. Kael and Riven slowed briefly to wave back.
"Looks like you like children," Riven said, a teasing note in his voice.
Kael glanced at him, her expression neutral. "They are nice," she said simply.
"They can also be annoying," Riven added with a dramatic sigh.
A faint smirk curved Kael's lips. "I doubt there is worse than you," she said, amusement dancing in her dark purple eyes.
Riven clutched his chest as if wounded. "Why are you never saying good things about me, sweetheart? Am I that bad?"
Kael let out a soft chuckle. "Well, you can be annoying, insufferable, and a chatterbox, but… even though we started on the wrong path, you helped me find the truth, even if it was by mere coincidence. You helped me when I left Ravaryn, and now you're helping me find my brother. I could have done it alone, but… having you with me isn't that bad. Your endless chatting is… tolerable. You're also sociable. People love you easily. Like in Saint-Aure. You have a lot of good qualities, even if you talk too much."
Riven was taken aback for a moment, blinking as he stared at her. "Wow… it's the first time I've heard you talk that much about someone. Even when we talked about your family, you didn't say that much."
"Well, don't get used to it," Kael said lightly.
Both chuckled softly, the bond between them growing stronger with each word.
After a moment, Riven added, more quietly, "Not all people like me. It's just because they didn't know I was a prince that they were comfortable around me. Otherwise, it'd be the same as with the nobles. Smiles on the surface, daggers behind their backs. Or worse them trying to use me."
Kael nodded thoughtfully. "Well, things could change. You never know."
"Anyways," she added, nudging her horse forward, "let's go faster. I don't want to waste more time on the road."
"Yes, your highness," Riven teased with a mock bow from his saddle.
"Don't call me that," Kael shot back, laughing despite herself.
They galloped harder after that, wind whipping past them, their laughter fading into the rush of the plains.
By midday, they pulled off the road to give their horses a break. They fed and watered the animals near a small, babbling brook, taking the chance to munch on some of the snacks gifted to them in Saint-Aure: sweet bread, dried fruits, and soft cheese.
Lilith, who had been mostly hidden in Kael's hood, fluttered out to sniff the air curiously.
"You want some too?" Kael murmured, tossing her a tiny crumb.
After a short rest, they mounted up again. The day wore on, the sky slowly darkening. As the sun dipped lower, they spotted the roofs of a small village ahead nothing grand, just a modest settlement with simple stone and wood buildings, small shops, and a modest inn near the center.
It was better fortified than some of the hamlets they'd passed, but still a far cry from Saint-Aure.
They found the stables first, paying a few silver pieces to a yawning stable boy who led their horses inside. After ensuring their mounts were cared for, they wandered into the village's only inn.
The place was warm and smelled of roasted meat and fresh bread. A handful of travelers sat around the tables, eating or playing cards. The innkeeper, a round man with a heavy beard, greeted them with a nod and showed them to a table.
They ate heartily a simple but satisfying meal of stew, brown bread, and spiced cider. Conversations buzzed lightly in the background, giving the inn a cozy feel.
After dinner, they rented a small room on the second floor—nothing luxurious, but clean and welcoming. Lilith curled up at the foot of the bed, and once more, the world outside their window was silent and still.
The next morning, they woke early, the village still wrapped in a soft gray mist. They ate a quick breakfast of porridge and honey, paid their dues, and saddled their horses.
As they rode out of the village, Kael looked ahead. The road stretched wide, and far in the distance, the outlines of the Elven Kingdom's forests began to take shape against the sky.
"Reilhim," she whispered to herself.
Riven glanced sideways at her. "Almost there."
Kael nodded, a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension curling in her chest.
And so, side by side, they rode closer to the answers they sought.