The remainder of their week-long journey passed without further interruptions, and at the dusk of the seventh day, the stone walls of the port-town of Baycall appeared in their field of view. As they approached the gatehouse, they noticed that the iron portcullis were down, while a cautious voice sounded from the left of the two watchtowers flanking the closed down gate. “Travellers, state your name and what business you have in Baycall!”
Trevis, the Second Lieutenant that had taken command of the escort after the attack, stepped forward and answered indignantly. “Fool, do you not recognize the royal crest on the carriage? Who are you to question and deny her Highness Felicity entry?”
After a short subdued argument, one head appeared in between the crenels to take a closer look at their group. The guards eyes widened in both recognition and terror, as they indeed spotted the insignia on the carriage’s side, that signified a member of the royal family being with them. “Ah shit,” they mumbled under their breath, before responding with a louder voice, “I’m terribly sorry I didn’t recognize you immediately! I will open the gate at once, so that you and her Highness can enter!”
Only a short moment later, the grating sound of rusty iron chains winding around a winch could be heard, as the portcullis was slowly raised. A slightly out of breath figure in a simple coat of mail and kettle helm greeted them on the other side. “Hail and well met my Lord! We’ve been told to expect her Highness, and I’ve sent one of my men to inform the mayor of your arrival.”
Trevis stepped closer and took a look at the guard in front of him. A fine sheen of sweat had begun to form on their forehead and glistered slightly in the evening sun, bearing testimony to the sprint the man had just performed, from the watchtower all the way to the bottom and the city gate. “Why has the town been closed off anyways? It should be well before curfew,” Trevis enquired.
The guardsman furrowed his brows. “Ill fate seems to have befallen our town, Milord. Bandit activity has increased dramatically in the region over the last couple of weeks. Merchants from Bessi brought news of a monster terrorizing the sea routes, and the mayor sent most of our forces to exterminate it. I have only the bare minimum of men left to keep the order in town, not to chase bandits inside the woods.” He gestured towards the raised portcullis. “We keep a close watch on who goes in or out, to prevent the bandits from infiltrating the town, hence you’ve been met with closed gates, Milord.”
--
Felicity had listened in on the conversation, but had left their escort’s captain to deal with it. When she heard of the circumstances however, Felicity rose from her seat and stepped out of the carriage. Upon noticing this, the guardsman immediately went on his knee, while Trevis bowed his head, both greeting her with a “Your Highness!”
“Please, arise good man, no need to stand on ceremony,” Felicity urged the guard, “and tell me your name.”
“Blake, your Highness! I’m the commander of Baycall’s guards,” the man obliged her request.
Felicity nodded in response. “I’ve overheard what you’ve said about the bandits, and the sea monster.” She threw a glance at Trevis and continued. “The bandits have tried to attack our caravan and have already been dealt with,” and addressing her escort, “Trevis, your task has been to escort us safely to Baycall and you’ve succeeded despite the odds. I would ask you to stay and reinforce Blake and his men, however, instead of returning to the capital straight away.”
The addressed shook his head, “I still disagree with your Highness and the he- Lord Malinor proceeding to Narlême alone. We,” Trevis wanted to continue, but was interrupted by Felicity, as the latter noticed another guardsman running towards them from inside the city.
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“Later, Trevis, this is not the place to discuss this, “ and turning to Blake again, her expression turning soft but firm. “Guardsman Blake, know that I want to help Baycall with its predicament, even though your primary concern is hopefully gone. I shall try to have my escort aid you directly or send a message to my father to temporarily reinforce you. Our kingdom’s roads shall remain safe, as shall our citizens. I strive to make this a reality”
The guard Blake gave his thanks to the princess and wanted to praise the kindness and compassion she had shown, but similarly noticed the approaching guard and reined himself in. “I see the mayor has been informed and is ready to receive you now, your Highness. My man shall escort you.” He bowed deeply to her, “Thank you for being lenient with us not immediately recognizing your carriage and fare thee well your Highness.”
Felicity gracefully nodded at the guards and reentered her carriage. She got startled by the view that greeted her, but took care not to let her surprise show, before she swiftly closed the door behind her. Escorted by the Royal Guard, the carriage then made its way towards the mayor’s mansion, being led by a guard that was disgruntled they now had to take the route from the watchtower to the estate a second time.
--
Eulisses groggily awoke from his meditation, his wards reacting to a slender hand being gently placed on his shoulder. The tiny purple sparks in his eye sockets grew to small flames, the only outward feature that indicated him being more than just an ordinary - and considerably more well dressed than on his first day - skeleton.
This, I’ve even forgotten to uphold my mortal shroud? That’s … not good, has she woken me because ... of ... it? His thoughts seemed to come to a standstill again, as his gaze focused on the face in front of his, entirely too close for comfort, the flames in his eye sockets flickering nervously. “Good … morning?” he asked hesitantly.
“It is evening and we have already entered Baycall,” the prompt answer came. “You’ve ‘slept’ for one day straight!” Felicity chided him, “I’ve wanted to wake you several times already!”
Eulisses slowly brushed off her hand that had remained on his shoulder, and watched as she leaned back in her seat, increasing the distance between them to more proper lengths. “And how long since my … bony countenance showed?”
“I briefly left the carriage when we arrived at the town’s gates, and when I entered it again, you already were like this. Obviously, I immediately went to wake you.” With a deprecating stare, she continued, “We’ve already talked about this: The less people that know of your undead nature, the better!”
“You mean, since I’m supposed to be ‘the hero to save the world’, I have to be human - and alive - in the eyes of the people?”
“That’s human nature, then, I guess,” Felicity answered while smiling sadly. “It will be shocking enough, when we reveal the heroes in the stories to be summonees from another world. If we alienate them even further, by having them not even be human, then they - and by extension you - cannot become the beacon of hope this world might need you to be.”
“Are you so sure that you won’t manage to unite the humans of this world against a common enemy without the banner of a ‘Hero’ to rally under?” Eulisses doubted. From what Felicity had told him, her diplomatic endeavors had already met with many successes, the summit they were ultimately heading for being one such fruit.
“200 years ago, the Wrachurid Empire gathered its troops at the Rift that formed at the Planar Convergence then,” Felicity responded. “They expected a horde of monsters, magical creatures, to storm through and into their lands. They were met with an army that swept over their defences and laid waste to half the continent.”
Her tone and expression turned grave. “We cannot expect what will come with this Planar Convergence, we can only prepare to the best of our abilities. I can bring the nations to a table,” the princess pointed at herself, “and I have already done that, but I cannot be the one to lead them.” She gestured towards him, letting fervour leak into her voice. “But you can, I hope, I believe.”
“I hate politics,” Eulisses sighed while reestablishing his mortal shroud and massaging his now present temples, “this world seems no different from my own in that regard.” If only the humans could put aside their differences and petty ambitions in the face of peril, or if there was a single authority from the start … “I will do my best to live up - heh - to your expectations, Felicity,” he said, unable to stop himself from chuckling at the expression that could not well apply in his case.
She looked at him gratefully, her radiant smile brightening the carriage’s interior, that grew more dark in the setting sun. “I appreciate your support, Eulisses. And I will aid you in your endeavours to the best of my abilities in return.” Felicity looked out of the carriage’s window, gazing at the sun vanishing behind the horizon just as they entered the premises of the mayor of Bacall’s manor. “And don’t worry, I have plans on how we shall act at the summit, so you may gain the support of not just Esaburg, but the other states’ as well.