Day 12

Captain Kumi woke up early in the morning before first light. He always awoke early. Kerri-liana Jones had been restless during the night, she had woken him a few times with her moving about. She even started talking in her sleep a language he had never heard before. He doubted she had fifty gold coins to give him however she seemed like she really needed to get to the castle and other than trying to free the slaves she had not tried to steal anything or even touched things that didn’t belong to her, nor did she eye them out. She just read her book and stayed out of trouble.

He moved Kerri’s head off his shoulder. He folded his blanket and rolled up his mat. He unhooked her from his belt but left the tie on her wrist.

She groaned and turned over curling up into a ball.

Kerri-liana Jones woke up because the sun was shining on her face. Kumi’s blanket was folded as if he hadn’t put it over her the night before. His mat was rolled up. Kumi stood in the door of the tent.

“Still sleeping, get up Gosling, we have a castle to reach.”

Kerri sat up. Her hair sat up with her.

“What time is it?” she mumbled.

Kumi came in.

“I need to pack up the tent. Go eat, there is a stream you can wash in.”

Kerri got up and walked out.

“Your hair.” Kumi called after her.

‘My hair’ Kerri touched her head. She could feel her hair standing up and doing crazy unattractive things.

She sighed and rolled her eyes ‘of cause her hair was a mess’

She got to the stream. Where men were watering the horses before saddling up.

She looked over at the people in cages that were being taken to be sold. She wanted to free them but with everyone around it was not going to happen.

She wet her wild hair hoping that would sort it out.

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Meanwhile Kumi scratched through Kerri’s things. She didn’t have money as he suspected. He saw her returning to the tent. So, he put her things together and continued packing up.

“Gosling, am I going to get paid?” he asked.

“My name is Kerri–liana not gosling! Yes, you will get your fifty gold coins once we get to the castle.” Kerri said.

“Kerri-liana.” He repeated “I prefer gosling.” He stated.

They walked for about three hours and arrived in the City Point. It was about another two hours before business with the slave traders was completed and Kumi and his men were ready to take Kerri to the castle.

A woman with brown hair and reddish streaks come out of Sparrow’s church.

“Take me to the castle with you.” She said.

Kumi looked at her.

“Why?” he asked.

“I live there.” She replied.

“It will cost you.” Kumi said.

“What gold, jewels, or land?” she asked.

“Gold.” He was now suspicious. Who was this woman that she thought she could give away land?

“Gold you shall have. Take me home.” She instructed.

So Kumi agreed to take her with. But he wondered if it was a trap and if going to the castle would now cost him his life. However, he kept his word to Kerri and went.

They arrived at the castle.

“Why are you looking at me?” she snapped at the guards.

“Because you are standing in front of me?” they replied.

“Have my maids prepare my chambers.” She ordered.

“You may not enter the castle. A peace conference is underway, and you are not an ambassador.”

“A peace conference!” Tiffany wailed “Who is ruining my kingdom!”

Kerri and Kumi looked at her.

“Do you not recognize me? I am the queen!” she shouted at them.

“Sure, you are.” He said.

The one said to Kumi

“You shouldn’t let your woman drink so early.”

“That is not my woman.” He replied “Just hired to bring her here.”

Kerri showed the royal seal she had.

“Come this way. Are they with you?” the guard asked.

“He is but she you can put,” she shrugged “stored in the dungeon.” Kerri said.

Tiffany looked at the royal seal.

“Where did you get that!?!”

She wanted the possible queen to experience how horrible her dungeons were and Kerri did wonder if it was the real queen. She carried on like she was. Saying she would have their heads, and no one would live. She even demanded to see her handmaid, Hannah.

“So, you are protected by the queen?” Kumi said “Why didn’t you say so?”

“Would it have made a difference?” Kerri asked.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am Kerri–liana Jones.” She replied.

“That seal means I would have to help you without being paid.” Kumi said.

“You kept up your end. I am here safely, and you will be paid as agreed.”

Once they were inside some of the servants that recognized her come over.

“We are glad you are here. The queen had an episode again, killed forty-six slaves in one day. When you are here, she is nicer.” They said.

“So, you are friends with the queen?” he said.

“I knew you were trouble. Give me my money and let me leave.” he stated.

So, Kerri went to the man who handled the queen’s money and got Kumi paid.

“I am surprised, I didn’t expect you to pay me.” He said.

“But you brought me to the castle safely as agreed.” She replied.

“I also brought the woman now in the dungeon safely to the castle and I am not being paid.” He pointed out.

“True.” she said.

“How are you friends with the queen?” he asked.

“She has changed, become a new person and I am friends with this person.” She answered.

Kumi eyed her.

“You are a strange gosling.” He said.

“I have a name it would be nice if you used it.” Kerri said.

Continue with Chapter 86 ‘Day of the Peace Conference’