Chapter 41

Charles was the last to return from retrieving his recruits. He came back tired and cranky a couple days after Daniel had arrived.

"I need a bubble bath immediately. I reek of horse and sweat." He said wearing a disgusted face as he dismounted the steed.

Daniel took the horse by the reigns and led it to the stable. Charles brushed himself off.

"The villagers? Did they join you?" I asked him.

"Yes. Johnny is already taking care of them. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a lavender bath immediately." His nose didn't unscrunch as he marched toward the castle.

My lack of progress with Galen continued. I found myself extremely frustrated with myself. I tried harnessing my emotions; I tried being as angry as I was before. It didn't seem to work no matter how much I thought about Samuel.

"Do you think I can still even change? What if the dragon is gone? What if it was a one time use?" I plopped down on the ground.

"The dragon is still there. It cannot be lost, it is within you." Galen said.

"You can't possibly know that." I said.

"It is, your majesty. You cannot doubt yourself now."

There were no other options except doubt and fear. We didn't have a chance in winning the war without a dragon.

The next morning, we gathered in the planning room. Orion, Johnny, Daniel, Mavis, and Charles were seated when I entered. A large map spread across the table.

"Johnny and Daniel. How are our trainees doing?" Mavis asked them.

"The loyalists have completed their training. The Belmonte people are still training, but are fast learners. I believe the loyalists are ready for combat." Johnny said.

"Excellent. Thank you. We appreciate all of your hard work that you have put in." Mavis said to Johnny.

"Of course, your majesty." Johnny bowed her head.

"Zander, have you made any progress with harnessing the dragon?" Mavis asked.

I lowered my head.

"No. I haven't." I said.

"Have you been practicing with Galen?" She asked.

"Everyday." I said.

"It is crucial we have the dragon to win." She reminded me.

"I know! I know. I'm doing everything I can." I snapped.

"Alright, well. Orion, based off our current positions, what do you suggest our next move be?" Mavis asked, turning the focus on him.

He stood up and hovered over the map.

"Yes. Your majesty. I believe our next move should be traveling to Naporia and attempting to make them our ally. They are between Vendov and Belmonte, I believe Vendov will attempt to take them over next." He said, pointing to Naporia.

"You don't think he'll offer them allyship?"

"He may, but he will betray his ally's and take them for himself, I'm sure of it." He said.

"I think we should go to Naporia and ask them to be our ally and support our war efforts. Perhaps we can reach them before Vendov does."

"That could be dangerous." Daniel said.

"I'm aware of the risk, but I think Naporia could be a very strong ally to us." He said.

"We will go to Naporia. The sooner the better, correct?" Mavis asked.

Orion nodded his head.

"I believe so."

"Alright. Tomorrow, then? We shall head out."

"With all due respect, your majesty, the Belmonte people had just agreed to join our fight. I don't know if they will respond well to both of you leaving right now." Johnny spoke up.

"I can go. Mavis can stay here." I spoke up.

"You can't go alone!" Mavis said.

"He won't. I'll go with." Orion spoke up. I turned my head towards him.

"You two cannot go alone. What if you're ambushed?" Mavis said.

"We can send a team of Lafayette soldiers to join. Galen can go as well to act as a healer." Johnny said.

"Perhaps I should go too." Daniel said.

"You should stay here with Mavis. Orion and I can fight, and Galen can heal. I think we can make it to Naporia with that." I said.

"Charles can accompany you as well." Mavis said.

"What? I just got back from a journey! Now you want me to get back on another smelly horse?"

"It'll be good for you. Plus, you do know the most about Belmonte out of everyone that's going. You must get Naporia to join us."

Mavis's compliment caused Charles to straighten his shoulders and smile.

"You're right. They need me to go with! Of course Zander needs me. I'll begin packing."

"Perfect. Leave right away in the morning, then." Mavis stood up, dismissing the meeting.

Charles marched out first. We all slowly followed behind him.

"Did you just want to get rid of him?" I asked Mavis.

"Perhaps.. Enjoy your trip, be careful." She said to me.

We prepared to leave for Naporia early the next morning. Johnny informed Galen of our request for them to join us on our journey. They agreed.

The team set out. The weather was not favorable to us. We were stuck under a constant downpour.

"It's hard to see! How are we supposed to get anywhere?" Charles squawked from on his horse.

I rode next to him, along with Orion. Galen followed, and a few Belmonte individuals follows us on foot.

"Keep heading south. Hopefully the rain will lighten up." I said. My cloak was soaked, and the water was beginning to seep through the hood.

"Unlikely. If anything, it will get worse. I think there's a storm coming." Galen said.

"Great! Great! This is ridiculous! Seven hours in and I already smell like wet horse ass!" Charles squeaked, almost startling his horse.

Thunder rumbled down. The horses began to get anxious.

"They will not like riding in this. Perhaps we should stop and try again tomorrow." Galen suggested.

Lightning began to flash. The horses jumped. Charles let out a shriek, matching the horses fear.

"Let's stop before Charles gets bucked off." I suggested, steering the horse off the road.

We pulled off the dirt road and found a bundle of trees to set up a small camp in. The Belmonte men helped me and Orion assemble the tents.

"We are still in Belmonte. Hopefully we will be safe here, but someone should still take watch." Orion said, pulling out a tarp out of his pack.

"I will not be taking first watch. I need my beauty sleep." Charles huffed, fumbling with his drenched tarp.

"I will." I stated.

There was no resistance. The Belmonte men were exhausted for being on foot, they needed a break.

There were four tents set up. Galen, Orion, and Charles had their own. The Belmonte men shared one.

I took a seat on the wet grass near the horses and drew my sword. I rested my back on a wet tree, causing bits of bark to cover my back.

I remembered being scared of storms as a child. I had wished that made the list of things I had to fear.

"Psst! Zander!"

I turned my head. Orion peaked his head out.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No, everything is fine. You don't need to sit out in the rain. You can sit in here where it's dry. Well, a little bit dryer, at least."

His invite fluttered my heart. Every damn time.

"It's probably best if I stay out here."

A harsh whip of thunder cracked in the distance, followed by a flash of lightning.

"You're going to get struck out there."

It was dark. The flashes of lighting provided glimpses of light.

"Alright, just for a little bit." I put my sword away.

I crawled into Orion's tent. It was a tight squeeze and was moderately damp, but not nearly as bad as being in that storm.

"Despite the delay, we should hopefully reach Naporia at a reasonable time." He said.

"I have heard good things about Naporia." Orion said.

"I have only been there once. That's where Johnny trained me. We stayed with her sister. It seemed fine, didn't get much sight seeing done though. Just the farm and the tavern." I explained,

"Spend a lot of time there? In the Tavern?"

Memories of the men I had met flashed through my mind. I struggled to even remember their names. I could remember what they looked like. I could remember alcohol on their breath, but their names faded my mind.

"Johnny was kicking my ass everyday. Went to the bar for ice for my bruises and a drink."

"The drink wasn't also for your bruises?" He laughed.

"It started that way for sure."

"Well, how did it end then? You meet someone?"

I jerked at his words.

"What would give you that idea?"

"A lot of people go to taverns to meet people. No one actually enjoys drinking alone."

"I met.. A few people, actually. A few men." I lowered my head.

"Damn, Zander! Didn't expect you to be the type."

"The type? You didn't know I liked men?" I asked in confusion.

He choked on his laugh.

"No, not that. I mean, it was no surprise to me that you liked men. I'm surprised that you'd hook up with men. You seem like a 'fall in love and be with them forever' kinda guy."

He had no idea.

"I mean. I can be, I think. Samuel. He was my first love. I trusted him with everything and he ruined my life. He killed my parents with no mercy. Not to mention the children and innocent people inside. After him, I didn't know what I wanted. I' don't know if I could bring myself to trust anyone that deeply again."

"I'm sorry my father sent him after you. I don't know what he told him to do, but I can see it was nothing but brutal. I'm sorry that Samuel did all the terrible things he did. If it makes you feel better, relationships can end in pain, but not like that. I don't think anything can be as bad as that."

"I know." I said, thinking of Carlo. I hoped he was happy, having picnics with someone who would treat him much better than I ever could. I hoped they appreciated his gentle kisses and his fantastic cooking. That's what he deserved. Not a disgraced king that would get him killed.

"What about you?" I asked.

"Samuel never seduced me, not my type." He said. I laughed.

"Not Samuel. Just.. In general. Who do you like? I mean, not one specific person. Like. Men or women? Or both? Or neither?" I stammered off, anxious for his answer.

Crack!

The horses neighed and whinnied.

"I should check on the horses." Orion got out of the tent and entered the rain.

"Zander! I'm gonna need your help!" Orion shouted from outside.