The next day we awoke before sunrise. The canoe and two paddles sat in our wagon, with our lunch, waterskins, and fishing tackle sitting nearby. Aeris, our young Palomino mare stood calmly at the head. She was young, barely five years old, and spirited, like many paliminos are.

I walked up to her and patted her neck as she leaned in and nudged me in the face. She was a good horse and an even better companion. She was gifted to my father when he became commander and was very well trained. 

Once everything was packed and ready to go, we climbed into the wagon and father took the reins. Our plan was to travel to Jovani’s house, a name I recognised as a friend of my fathers, and leave Aeris and our wagon there. We would then make the short trek to the lake of Emberbrook. I was not looking forward to carrying the canoe all the way there. 

As we traveled my father told me how he knew Jovani. They had grown up together in Avani and had joined the army right when they had reached of age. They had never actually fought in a war, since the last one Avani had been a part of was when my father was but an infant.

Xandars grandfather was not nearly as obliging as his father and had fought many battles over the territories between his kingdom and Tenazia’s in the south. The war only ended when Tenazias king, Villahame,  mysteriously withdrew his forces. Since then, Tenazia has grown fiercely independent and isolated. Many rumors spread of the king's deranged state, but not many know what is actually happening there. 

After about two hours, I start to notice fields scattered on each side. It was a bit of a contrast from the heavy woods that surround Avani. All around us, horses and sheep were grazing in the serene pastures.

The road ended at a small farmhouse. It showed a few signs of wear and tear, but was mostly kept in good condition. Birds had made their nests under the rooftop gutters, and several vines had found their way up the side of the house. The farm had a peaceful feel to it, mainly thanks to the smell of home cooked meals clinging to the air. 

As we approached we saw a man and woman standing on the porch.

“Greetings, Alaunus, it has been a long time.” I heard Jovani say as we walked up the steps.

“Indeed it has!” My father replied as he clapped his friend on the shoulder.

“This is my wife Enora, I do not believe you two have ever met” Jovani said with a hint of pride in his voice.

“Well met, Enora. This is my daughter Aalya” he said as he ushered me in front of him.

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“Welcome to our home, Aalya. I see you share your father's looks” she said with a smirk.

I blushed “Thank you Enora, it is nice to meet you.” 

We chatted for a little longer before we led Aeris to the barn and grabbed our belongings.

“We should be back before nightfall.” My father said as we prepared to head out.

At first, It was hard to help carry the canoe with my father being at least a foot taller than me. So he bent down and tied straps to each end so we could carry it down by our side. 

Once we reached the shore, we put the boat in the water and he helped me in.

“Do you remember how to paddle?” he asked me with a grin.

“Of course!” I say, slightly offended.

As we headed out onto the water, I started to ready my fishing rod.

Father chuckles beside me. “You may remember how to paddle but I see you forgot how to tie your line properly.”

He reaches for his pole and expertly shows me how to tie the line, made of nettle and hemp, before motioning for me to try. After a few tries I manage to get it right. I can see his proud smile as we proceed to paddle to the other side of the lake that was shaded by a bunch of trees with their branches reaching out over the water. He explains how leaves and bugs sometimes fall from the trees and fish come to the top, hoping for a pleasant meal.

We sit in comfortable silence. I decided I would not care if we caught anything. I was simply enjoying myself and glancing at father; he seemed content as well. Around noon, we pulled out our lunches and ate and talked about the past several months.

It has been such a long time since we had talked like this. I complained a lot about Lilith, and told him of some of the adventures with the twins, and then I told him about meeting Prince Xandar.

“I know,” he says simply.

“You know?” I ask, confused.

“The royal family's safety is my job, after all. Even if I hadn't read the reports of a certain young princling ditching his guard and running around in the garden with the commander's daughter, I would have known the moment Lilith opened her mouth.” he chuckled.

Of course he knew. “Then do you know why he didn't meet me after I returned?” I asked, suddenly embarrassed. 

He sighed, “Yes I know, but there are some things I am not at liberty to say.” he pauses “Lya, you need to remember who he is. He is a prince. I am not saying to not be his friend, I'm just saying to be careful. His life is very different from your own.”

After a while, we resumed our fishing. He quietly hummed a tune as I thought about the meaning of his words. 

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my line. And I jumped up in excitement.  “I caught one!” I yelled as I tugged on the line, hand over hand. 

“Calm down Lya” my father laughed as he pulled out the net, but before I could get it close enough the line slackened and I knew it had gotten away. 

I plopped down in the canoe, disappointed. 

“Oh don't be too upset” he said “at least you didn't fall in!” 

“That would have been my first fish!” I whined 

“We have plenty of time before dark, Dragonfly.” He says with a grin.

We continue for a while longer before father decides it was time to start heading back. 

We planned to stay with Jovani and Enora and head home the next morning. Even though I was saddened about not catching anything, I was very much looking forward to Enoras cooking. Just the smell of her home gave a hint of her talent in the kitchen.

Just as we were putting our paddles in the water, we heard a rustle in the bushes. The noise was different though,  like something or someone had lost their balance.

His eyes dart to the trees. “It's probably a deer,” I whisper. Hoping more than anything, that it was. 

He's quiet for a split second before he looks me in the eyes and intently says “Paddle.”

And I do, right as an arrow wizzes past our heads.