Joan let out a soft sigh of relief. They’d done it. They’d made it all the way to Hearth. Despite her expectations, they hadn’t been attacked again. While the storm had lasted most of the day, apparently after the first encounter the assassin didn’t want to test their luck again. Even though she was traveling with them again, Garbert hadn’t given her any trouble. She didn’t trust it, though. She wondered if he was just waiting for the right moment to strike again or if he was truly just going to stop trying to fight her.

She found it kind of amusing. The first time they fought, she’d underestimated him. The second, he underestimated her. If they both fought each other, for real, she wondered who’d win.

“So, Queen Emeline has transport ready for us?” Joan asked the prince warily.

“Yes,” Garbert said, his voice cold. He glanced back towards her. “We’ll be teleporting there.”

“What? Not a ship?” Joan asked, almost stumbling. “Why’d we come all the way here, then? I thought we didn’t have anybody who could teleport?”

“It would be a long, perilous voyage there,” Garbert said. “Most vessels that make the trip don’t take many passengers. Especially if there are people after certain members of our party, who have access to resources most of us don’t understand. The safest routes can take well over a month.”

“Then why’d we have to come all the way here?” Joan asked, drawing a glare from him. “What? It’s a valid question.”

“Because we don’t have the Chosen of the Crown with us,” Garbert said harshly. “I understand you are… used to teleporting across the world on the power of a demigod. But magic like that is incredibly difficult and exhausting. Even with just the eight of us we’ll be going over across a few days time.”

“O-oh, right,” Joan said sheepishly. “I always forget that normal people can’t… right. Sorry.” She glanced down at their horses. “So, ummm, our horses, then…?”

“Will be left behind,” Garbert said. “It’d be cheaper to buy three horses for the price of just teleporting one there. Isn’t this stuff they taught at the academy? Or you learned as the… Hero?” She ignored the doubt in his voice.

“Korgron isn’t exactly a push over when it comes to using her magic,” Joan said. “And we didn’t discuss it much in the academy. Unless you were planning to do that kind of work, the magic was rarely used outside of emergencies.” She stroked a finger over the knife she had strapped into her belt. How much had it cost to enchant the knife to do that? While it was only a short range teleport, it still couldn’t have been cheap. Had it been tied to whoever threw the knife, or was it just the assassin? She wondered if the prince had the other knife or if one of the guards were holding onto it. If she could find a way to refresh the magic on it, would throwing it make the assassin come to them? That would be useful, at least.

“I see,” Garbert said. “Perhaps you should endeavor to learn more about it. The crown may be paying for this adventure of yours, but try not to add more expenditures than is necessary.”

“I didn’t want them to pay for anything,” Joan said, unable to keep the grumbling out of her voice. “I was planning to do it myself. Your mother is just hard to say no to.”

“It seems that’s something even we can agree on,” Garbert said softly.

“So, where are our horses going to be staying?” Joan asked. “Or are you planning to just set them off on the streets?”

“Lord Esdelot,” Garbert said.

Joan squeaked, yanking on her reigns and coming to a stop. Unsurprising, she wasn’t the only one.

“What?” Francis asked. “ESDELOT?”

“Is there a problem?” Garbert asked. “He’s the lord of this city, loyal to the crown. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“He tried to kidnap Ifrit and kill me,” Francis said.

“WHAT?” Garbert asked, pulling on the reigns to stop his horse. “When? Why? Why was I not informed of this?” He then looked at Joan. “Did you know about this?”

“Of course I did,” Joan said. “Who do you think stopped them? It’s how he and I met this time. I didn’t know he’d be here! I thought by now he’d have been…” She trailed off. Now that she thought about it, things had been pretty chaotic last time they were here. Korgron said she had dealt with it, but had she? What if he was looking for vengeance? “You know what? I think… I have someone else I’d rather stay with. Well, leave the horses with. Lady Bridgett.”

“Who?” Garbert asked. “No. I’m sure this can be dealt with. I will merely speak with him and we can put this all behind us. You are all under the protection of the crown, he wouldn’t dare try anything.”

“I’d really rather not take that risk,” Joan said. “Especially without one of the Chosen with us.”

Garbert gave another sigh. “Must you make everything difficult?”

“Yes,” Joan said before she could stop herself. “What? I do what I’m good at. Stop looking at me like that.” The prince looked frustrated, but at least Francis and Ifrit looked amused. The guards managed to keep their faces straight.

“Very well. Aaron, Oriik, with me,” Garbert said. “Isata, Notekyn, keep them safe with this Bridgett. I’ll come and collect you once it’s time for us to leave.”

“Thank you,” Joan said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Do try not to get killed by him. I’d rather not have to explain that to your mother.”

Garbert just scowled at her, but left without another word.

“You shouldn’t antagonize him,” one of her guards said. She couldn’t help but notice that he’d taken both the male guards and left the two female ones. More importantly, he’d taken Chase. Well, who she suspected might be Chase. Maybe she was just being paranoid, though. Did it really count as paranoia when so many people DID want her dead?

“Honestly? You’re probably right,” Joan said. “But it’s REALLY hard not to. This is why I shouldn’t do politics. You know, I bet this is why the Chosen don’t want me anywhere near the peace talks.”

“Yes,” one of the guards said.

“Probably,” the other said.

“Definitely,” Francis said.

“I’ve only just met you recently, but I wouldn’t want you anywhere near anything temperamental,” Ifrit said. “Sorry.”

Joan gave a sigh, but nodded. “Yeah, I asked. I should have known the truth. I’m good at a lot of other things. Like getting friends of my grandmother to watch our horses. I’m sure it’ll be fine, come on.”

Slowly they walked through the city and she couldn’t help but notice one important thing. It seemed the repairs of the city from the last time she was here was going positively wonderfully.

------

Joan struggled, desperately, to stop herself from crying. She was strong, she was capable. She was not going to cry over some pinched cheeks. “Oh, you precious dear!” Lady Bridgett said, pinching her cheeks and lightly shaking her head. “Of course, stay as long as you need. You’ve grown up so much since last I saw you, but you’re still such a tiny thing.” Mercifully, the hands of the aged woman finally let her throbbing cheek go, pulling back to let it rest. “Vivian has sent so many letters about you. How hard you’ve been getting ready for your next little adventure. You do take after your father so.”

Joan nodded, narrowly stepping back when she saw the woman’s other hand go towards her other cheek. “T-thank you, Lady Bridgett,” she said quickly, reaching out to take the woman’s hand and clench it in her own, lightly shaking it. “You’re far, far too kind. My grandmother often speaks of your generosity. I do hope it won’t be too much of a hassle to watch our things until we can return.”

“Of course not, you sweet little thing,” Bridgett said with a toothy smile. Even with her silver, curly hair she didn’t look that much older than her grandmother. That pinch of hers certainly made her feel far stronger. “Leave them as long as you need.”

“Thank you,” Joan said, finally letting the hand go. Saf-- Unfortunately, with her guard down, the other cheek was pinched once again.

“Oh, you’re such a well behaved little thing,” Bridgett said, lightly shaking the cheek. “Don’t you fret at all. It would hardly be the first time I’ve watched things for Vivian.”

“W-wonderful,” Joan said, struggling to keep herself from tearing up. Mercifully, the hand was removed quicker this time.

“Now, come along, you lot all look like you could use a nice, full meal. Come, come,” Bridgett said, motioning for her to follow after them.

Joan whimpered and reached up, rubbing her cheek.

“Are you okay?” Francis asked.

“F-fine,” Joan said. “It’s f-fine.”

“I can see the imprint,” Francis whispered.

“She’s just… sweet,” Joan said, gently rubbing her cheek some more. So much ow. “So… very sweet.”

“Uh huh,” Francis whispered gently. He wasn’t the only one giving her pitying looks when they went inside.

------

“Are you sure?” Garbert asked, staring at her. “It’s likely not going to be safe immediately.”

“If it’s not, I should definitely go through first,” Joan said. “Besides, there are going to be guards there waiting for us, aren’t there?”

“Yes,” Garbert said, his eyes narrowed on her.

“Then yes,” Joan said. “Besides, it makes sense to send me, Francis and Ifrit ahead. If there’s any danger, it’s bound to follow us.”

“That’s why I’m opposed to it,” Garbert muttered.

“It’ll be fine,” Joan said dismissively. “We’ll go and wait in the embassy until the rest of you can come through. Nothing drastic. Promise.”

Garbert gave a soft sigh before glancing back towards the teleportation rings, then back towards her. Only four of them could go through at a time, which meant they’d have to split into two groups. He’d been planning to go through with Francis, Ifrit and one of the guards. It would be a few days before they’d be able to do the next group teleport.

She really, really missed Korgron.

“No,” Garbert said. “Too dangerous.”

“Please,” Joan said, pleading. “Let me come with you. My cheek won’t survive that long.”

“What?” Garbert asked.

“My lord, if I may?” Aaron asked.

Garbert sighed before slowly walking away from them. He gave her a look, before he and Aaron whispered amongst themselves. After a few moments, he nodded. He then glanced back towards her. “Very well. Aaron has agreed to keep an eye on you.”

“Why would you do that to yourself?” Joan asked before she could help herself. She cringed and gave a sheepish smile. “I mean, err, thank you.”

“Of course, Lady Joan,” Aaron said. “Anything for the daughter of Lord Hardwin.”

Joan blinked a few times. Daughter of… really? They knew she wasn’t, didn’t they? Oh well. If he thought he was both the daughter of a Chosen AND the Hero reborn, then she would use it to her advantage if it meant her cheek wasn’t going to be torn off. “Thank you,” she said before glancing towards Oriik. If the Chosen was going to wait here for a few days, she supposed she’d have to keep her word and stay out of trouble. She then glanced towards the summoning circle. Oh well, she could behave a few days.

------

Joan wondered if she could just die now. That would be great. She fell face first onto the ground and besides her, she heard Ifrit and Francis doing the same. The only reason Aaron didn’t she suspected was because he was holding himself up with his spear.

A few days. Oh yes, she would be happy to just rest for a few days. The boat ride was even starting to sound like a better deal, even if it would have taken far, far, far longer.

She still struggled a bit with teleportation, but it normally wasn’t so bad. However, Korgron was incredibly powerful and could teleport them places in a single burst. Not all mages could teleport so far, so quickly. Instead, there were multiple stops along the way, each with little fortresses setup to allow them to teleport onto the next. Too many teleports spread out over a few minutes.

Joan wasn’t sure how long it would take her to recover from this, but she was eternally grateful that there were guards there to meet them. Because she wasn’t sure she could walk right now, let alone actually protect any of them.

“Oh gods take me now,” Francis said softly.

“If they are merciful,” Ifrit said with a low groan.

MelodyAvant

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