Wanna do it Today or Tomorrow?

“Damn, that’s a huge Wall.”, said Alex.

“That’s the city of Heast.”, said Hina from the carriage beside him.

They just reached the top of a small hill and now saw the city, nestled on a river in a wide valley, for the first time on their journey. Since their run in with the Gnoll pack a week had passed and the rest of the trip was rather peaceful. As promised, Alex started to teach Violet the basics of fighting. Every morning, he did some swing drills with her, using a small stick as a trainings weapon. Alex afterwards sparred a bit with Hina, while Violet watched them. Some days she cast the Berserker spell on him. Alex body really seamed to be getting used to it. Besides some minor exhaustion there seem to be no other side effects anymore. Violet also summarized that him not getting gravely wounded also helped with that.

“Then let’s go onwards on the last spurt!”, said Violet happily next to Alex.

They rolled down the hill and soon stood before the big gate, leading into the city. Some guards barred their way.

“Who are you? What brings you here? And… What the hell is that thing?”, said the captain of the guard looking at Violet, Alex and Cera, while pointing in front of their cart.

“Oh, that’s Rudy.”, said Violet casually.

Rudy oinked happily. He was now even bigger than an Ox.

“Rudy, huh?”, said the captain and raised an eyebrow.

He stepped a bit to the side and looked at the carriage behind the cart. Hina smiled and Lena had stuck her head out of the window waving with a smug face at him.

“Should have known… Alright… let them through.”, said the captain and waved Violet and the others through.

“Glad to see your Highness return safe and sound… and on her own accord for a change…”, he said when Hina stopped the carriage next to him.

“Oh, my dear Patrick… I am glad to see you too. How are things going with guarding our lovely city?”, asked Lena smiling innocently.

“Everything as usual… well until your Highness came, of course…”

“Well, I wouldn’t want you to get bored now, would I?”

“Your Highness is as thoughtful as ever.”

“Patrick! How often have I told you to call me Lena?”

“About as often as I dragged your kicking and screaming princess behind through the city, after one of your frequent… escape attempts… Your Highness.”

“Oh yeah, the good old days… No matter if it took a few days or a few months… you were always the one who found me… we should do that again sometime!”

“Have mercy, Your Highness! My back is not what it used to be…”

“Are you inclining that I gained weight, good sir Patrick, captain of the guard?”

“Only in the right places… Your Highness.”

“You!... Sly old bastard… Here! After your shift, treat yourself and your men to some good meal and liquor.”

Lena flung a small purse at Patrick, who caught it and quickly let it vanish in his pocket.

“Your Highness is too kind.”

He bowed deeply.

“Well then, I wish you a comfy rest of your shift. Pleasure to meet you as always, Patrick.”, said Lena and gave Hina the signal to move on.

Patrick saluted.

“For me as well. Welcome back… Lena.”, he said quietly.

“Good to see you in one piece too, Hina!”, added Patrick with his normal loud voice.

Hina waved and the carriage moved forward.

“Having a princess with us has it’s advantages.”, said Hina laughing as she caught up to Violet and their cart.

“True… They seemed rather familiar with the princess…”, said Violet wondering.

“Well, everybody in the guard from a certain age has been on at least one hunt for her through the city… most of them on multiple…”

“I see… Say Hina! You know any good Inns in the city? Preferably on the cheaper side? Our travel funds are a bit strained in the moment…”

“What are you talking about? You’re staying with me of course!”, interjected Lena, poking her head out of the window again.

“But… that’s…”, said Violet unsure.

“No Buts! Friends of Caleb are Friends of mine, so I insist.”

There was no argument to be had, so Violet just agreed, and they followed Hina through the busy streets of Heast. They moved rather slowly, because a lot of people came up to the carriage and greeted Lena. She was slung out of the window, waved and talked a bit with everyone. It took them a while, but they finally made it to a huge castle. The guards at its gate had about the same reaction as the guards at the city walls. Hina drove the carriage to a big stable. There everyone got off. A young man came out of the stable and made a surprised face, when he noticed Rudy.

“Take good care of him, Milton.”, said Lena.

“A dire boar? Neat-o! Will do Ma’m!”, said the man named Milton and scratched Rudy’s nose.

Lena led the other down the path to the main entrance of the castle. The door opened as they got close and a old butler appeared in the doorway.

“Welcome home, princess. I’m glad to see you and your companions in good health.”, he said and bowed.

“Sebastian! Good to see you! How’s the hip?”, asked Lena smiling happily.

“Doing better day by day.”

“That’s good to hear! Could you do me a favor? I have something to discuss with Father, can you show our guests to their rooms?”

“Of course, I will!”

“Thank you, you’re the best! Okay guys, I will see you in the evening at dinner. Feel free to relax until then or if you want you can walk around the city. If you need anything, you can ask Sebastian here.”, said Lena and vanished inside.

Hina followed her. Sebastian looked at them with a smile until he saw Caleb. His eyesbrows went up in surprise.

“Damn… I just remembered all the new maids’ names…”, he muttered.

“Well anyway… If the esteemed guest would follow me, please.”, he quickly added.

They went inside and saw a huge entrance hall with a massive staircase leading up. Sebastian led them across the hall. Some people stood around and watched the newcomers. A group of women in luxurious dresses pointed at them and started whispering to each other. Violet could hear some of what they said as they passed them.

“Look, the princess found some new strays…”

“Look at how they are dressed, they look like filthy barbarians….”

“The guy with the long brown hair looks kinda cute…”

“Way better than the other guy… he looks all sweaty and dirty… I bet he stinks…”

Violet shot them an angry glance.

“What’s up with that redhaired bitch? Look how she dresses… like a man… like an ugly man…”

The woman began to snicker. Sebastian led them through a doorway through a long passageway and then through some doors.

“These will be your rooms to use as long as you stay with the princess.”, He said arriving at four doors.

“If you need anything, just ask me or any of the maids around here.”, Sebastian added.

Alex went into his room. It was quite spacious, and the bed looked really comfy. Alex just tested the firmness of the bed with the classic divebomb, as it knocked on the door. He went to open up. Violet stood in the doorway looking at him very seriously.

“Wanna do it today or tomorrow?”, she said staring him into the eyes.

“What?”, asked Alex in surprise.

“You know! What we’ve been waiting for all the time!”

Alex began turning red.

“What?... eh… uhm… you sure?”, he began to stutter.

“Yes! I’m sure! I finally wanna do it! I thought you wanted to do it too?”

“Really? Huh… Well, hmm… okay…”

“I finally want to know what these fucking bracelets are!”

Violet held up her arm and jiggled the bracelet in front of Alex’s face.

“The… bracelets…?”, he mumbled.

“Yes, the bracelets! What did you think I meant?”

“Oh, yeah, nah of course… I knew that… the bracelets of course… well… hm… let’s do it tomorrow… I’m exhausted… I’ll go to sleep now… bye…”

Alex closed the door. Violet heard something hitting against it with a quiet thump. She chuckled the whole way back to her room.