I had zoned out while we were wordlessly riding through endless green lands until I was brought back to reality with Caerwyn announcing that we were fast approaching the border of the human kingdom of Ironwall, which Caerwyn hailed from. The first town on the border of Ironwall was fast coming into view, and before I knew it, Caerwyn was pulling back on the reins of his horse and we came to a halt before entering the border town. Caerwyn said, “we must hide your face for now, Princess.”

I knew why; the humans therein might hurt me. Terry took off the cloak he was wearing and handed it to me. I hooked the clasp at my neck and put up the hood . I tucked my four arms neatly into the cloak before Caerwyn set his horse to riding again.

“We shall find you an inn and a bath, Princess, along with good food.” Caerwyn promised me.

I nodded silently and worriedly. The promise of a bath at the moment was the kindest promise someone could make me. I did not want to bathe in the spring earlier nor in any water that wasn’t in a tub. It was just one of my eccentricities.

“We’ll protect you, Princess.” Terry reassured me.

That didn’t stop my heart from pounding or my hands from trembling.

Human towns were not situated on the branches of gigantic trees like moth towns were—they were on the ground, but about the same size. Many of the houses were humble and had thatched roofs--they seemed to be made out of poor material, indicating that this was a poorer town. The ground was cobblestone, and the sound of our horses’ feet clopping through it echoed ominously and loudly as we rode through the newly oncoming rain.

There were a few humans about who eyed us curiously, wondering what hurry we must be in to be riding horses through town, but thankfully none of them got a good look at my face.

Soon enough, Caerwyn arrived at the inn—which Caerwyn informed me was a place for humans to stop and rest--and gave his piebald and brown horses to a stable boy for the sum of a copper.

Caerwyn turned to me. “Keep that cloak on tight, and keep your face down, Princess.”

I nodded. My body was numb with terror.

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Caerwyn entered the inn and approached the man behind the counter determinedly.

Around us were men stinking of beer and tasteless women sitting on their laps. I never wanted to be in such a disgusting place.

I followed Caerwyn closely and kept my head down as instructed.

“Hello, miss…” The land lord began to address Caerwyn, but realized he was not speaking to a woman and was instead speaking to a templar. “Hello, sir knight. Surely we can put you all up for free for the good work you do.”

“Thank you very much.” Caerwyn replied. “A separate room for the lady, please.”

The land lord looked directly at me curiously. “Why is she hiding her face like that…?”

“You know how dangerous it is for women out there. She had to travel for a time, away from her family, and had to keep herself safe. Now, if you please, the keys to our rooms.” Caerwyn held out his hand impatiently.

The land lord was still trying to get a good look at my face, but, as he honored the templar knights who were guarding me and assumed they wouldn’t harbor any moths, he gave Caerwyn the keys reluctantly. “The two last rooms at the end of the hall.”

Caerwyn turned to Terry. “Order us some food, please.”

Terry nodded uneasily. Caerwyn led me up the stairs and opened the last door at the end of the hall for me. I walked in nervously.

“I’ll tell the landlord to fill up the tub with hot water for you, and then you should get some sleep,” Caerwyn told me as I sat on the comfortable bed and he turned to leave.

“Wait! Hold on!” I said before he left. “Come sit with me, just for a moment.”

Caerwyn looked incredibly nervous and reticent. I was pushing at the boundaries of his vows, but he nonetheless sat next to me on the bed.

“Are they really going to kill me if they find I am a moth?” I asked him, hanging my head worriedly.

“They will kill you or enslave you, Princess. You must tread very carefully. I will do my utmost to protect you, but I cannot guarantee your safety.” The templar advised me solemnly.

I nodded and was silent for a moment. “You never told me how you escaped the giants…”

Caerwyn turned to me with a little smile. “I forgot to tell you… There are things people like me can do that others cannot. Something called Tempral Light. It is a gift from God.”

“What is it? Magic?” I asked.

“No, not magic, dear Princess! It is just a gift. It allows me to open a heaven-made door, but I never know where the door will lead me.” Caerwyn explained. “I cannot always create it, either. It comes and goes…”

I looked into his eyes searchingly. “I… Do not understand. Such a power must come from magic.”

Caerwyn shook his head. “You must not doubt, Princess.”

Caerwyn stood up, then, and I very much did not want him to go. “Please stay… I don't wish to be alone.”

“Do not fear, Princess. Remember, you are here for a reason. Tuck yourself under your blankets while the maids fill up your bathtub.” Caerwyn told me firmly.

I obeyed, shivering in fear the entire time while the two female maids filled up the tub in my room with hot water. One wrong move, and I would get myself killed.

I must stop writing for now, and ready myself for the future.