Chapter 10

"We're taking a carriage full of stuff?" Keira cringed, staring at all the luggage piled up. "This can't all be supplies, right?"

"Mostly supplies and our personal luggage," Fiona said, adding another bag.

"Supplies are fine, but we shouldn't be taking too much. Don't forget this is going to be a long journey, and you want your horses to last pulling you guys that far."

"They'll be fine." Fiona waved her off. "There are two of them, and they can handle it. It's not like all of us are travelling inside the carriage."

We'll likely have to stop more frequently with her...

"You've never travelled, have you?" Keira sighed, turning around to her horse.

"Does that matter? How bad can it be?"

Keira stroked Sora's hair. "Hey, girl, it looks like we're going to be busy for a long while. Rui, do you think you can reduce their load? They're taking too much."

"Uh..." Rui glanced at Fiona from atop his horse, and she glared at him. "Keira's right, and I warned you about it yesterday."

"But I did reduce how much I'm bringing. These are the essentials to me," Fiona assured them.

"If you have any makeup or luxury items, leave them behind; they're useless weight on a journey," Keira said as she hopped onto her horse.

"Excuse me?" Fiona's cheek twitched. "They're not useless. Not all of us can wake up looking perfect every day without trying."

Keira frowned. What is wrong with this woman? "I don't need makeup because it's useless on the battlefield. It won't help you survive any longer. It can't protect you." Keira's eyes glowed slightly.

Rui leaned in close to her. "Keira, stop before you make her burst," he whispered.

She caught a glimpse of Fiona, tears in her eyes and lip quivering.

How in the world is she supposed to help? This is why she usually stays nice and cozy in the palace. "Fiona, why did you agree to come with us?"

"Because our king said we needed strong mages to go, and I'm one of the top. There's a reason I'm used to scan for threats and search for heroes to recruit."

"Which means you stay back and never set foot on a battlefield. I don't like bringing people in who aren't ready."

"Isn't that what you two are here for? The Ice Queen can surely protect little me. Besides, it's my duty. That's it."

Ugh, that nickname.

"Um, I just have this one bag..." Aki held it up and glanced into the carriage. "Which I'll keep with me while I ride my horse, apparently."

Keira groaned again. "That's it." She hopped off her horse.

"Keira!" Rui rushed to stop her.

She jumped into the carriage and rummaged through their luggage.

Clothes... more clothes. How many outfits does she think she needs? Keira randomly tossed one of Fiona's clothing bags out.

"What are you doing?!" Fiona tried to stop her, and Aria pulled her back.

"I'm not sure you'd want to get in her way," Aria warned her.

"But she's trying to toss my things out!"

"Better now before we leave than randomly during the trip." Aria stepped back, waiting.

"But..." Fiona tried to climb in behind Keira, but Rui grabbed her wrist.

"This will go worse if you try to fight her on it. Trust me," Rui said, pulling her back gently.

"This isn't fair," Fiona huffed, crossing her arms.

"Maybe it's best to trust the person with the most experience," Aki suggested, pulling up beside them, still on his horse.

"What do you know?" Fiona grumbled. "I doubt you have any more experience than I do."

"Ah, I suppose not. I'm sorry."

"You're trying to bring too much stuff! I could understand if it was extra food or water, but not all of this extra." Keira tossed a few more bags out. "And an entire one full of makeup. You don't need it; you look fine without it, and no one on this trip will care. Unless you're looking to bag yourself a foreign husband, I don't think it's needed." Keira dumped another bag out. "There, you still have two bags of clothes, and it's a lighter pull for the horses."

"Why is it only my stuff?" Fiona asked, staring at her pile of bags.

"Because you're the only one who brought more than two bags for your personal stuff."

"Oh..."

"I know I tossed out those bags of clothes, but you can choose which ones you want to take with you. Remember, we're travelling, and more than likely fighting, not attending formal events."

"Says you!"

Keira's eyes narrowed.

"O-okay." Fiona swallowed hard. "Thank you for letting me choose." She went to rearrange her bags as Keira stepped away, shaking her head.

Haven't even left yet, and I already have a headache.

"That was nice of you." Rui patted her on the shoulder.

"Nice?"

"You let her choose. Could've gone as is," he whispered.

"Whatever." She hopped back onto Sora to wait for Fiona to finish.

Hmm... Where'd Aki go?

"Wait, what do I do with these bags?" Fiona asked, standing surrounded by a pile of bags. "I'm not leaving them here by the stables. Please don't tell me you're going to make me carry them back. I didn't even carry them here; one of the guards helped me. On that note, why don't we have more guards?"

Keira gritted her teeth. Should've just sent me alone... "Because we're enough." She glanced at Rui. I guess she's never actually seen us fight. She's in for a surprise.

Aki came trotting back to them with two palace guards right behind him. "All set up? What do you want to send back?" Aki asked.

"You brought them here for me?" Fiona asked, eyes widening.

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you so much. I'd love to bring it all with me, but I'll have to send these back to my room. Please."

"Yes, ma'am." The two guards picked up the bags at her feet. "Good luck." They bowed to Keira and left with their hands full.

"Heh." Aria smirked and climbed into the front of the elegant, metal carriage, grabbing the reins.

What was that about?

"Wait, she's my driver? I thought we'd have... a professional or something..." Fiona glanced at the others.

"Not sure why you'd think that, after we said it would just be us." Keira motioned to the others. "We're not out to put more people in danger."

"I'm really starting to wonder if this is a good idea..."

"Well, you already agreed to go, but this is your last chance to bail." Keira swayed her hand toward the palace. "If you really want, I can even say we left without you, and you're not at fault."

Fiona was silent for a moment, staring at Keira as she contemplated. "No. I can't. What if you need my wind magic? I'll... be fine. We have the greatest fighters with us... and support, so I'll be fine. I can't be selfish and run away. Let's go." Fiona took a deep breath and hopped into the carriage.

Keira smirked as she turned away on Sora. Guess she found her resolve after all.

"Always spotting weak spots before we even start." Rui snickered, his horse trotting beside her.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't."

Aki followed close behind, beside Aria driving the carriage, his eyes sparkling as they lingered on Keira.

They made their way out of the palace gates to find the street following their planned path out of the kingdom lined with people.

Did he try to have another party for this, or what? She kept her eyes ahead as she tried to ignore the crowd. Doesn't he ever get enough of this? It would've been better if this were a secret mission. How are they going to feel without us here for more than just a few days?

Rui smiled and waved to the people in the crowd as they yelled their best wishes and faith in him and Keira.

Aki pulled the hood of his green cloak up, trying his best to hide his face. "I didn't expect this," he mumbled.

"I'm surprised you lot are surprised," Aria said, though they couldn't hear her over the crowd. "Doesn't the frivolous king always make a spectacle of things?"

Fiona looked out the window of her carriage, back straight, with a polite smile, and did her best to mimic a royal wave. "This is amazing. I only got to see it from afar before."

The group stopped at the closed gate of the kingdom, King Shun standing before it, waiting for them.

Shun raised his hand, and the crowd went silent. "I thank each and every one of you for accepting this mission. We don't know what lies ahead, or what information you might find, but we're trusting you'll do your best out there and come home safe. Best of luck, our heroes. We look forward to your return." He held his hand over his heart.

The crowd cheered again as the gates opened and Shun stepped aside.

Always so dramatic.

Keira led their group out of the kingdom, the gates shutting behind them.