Lysandra and Albertina have been riding for hours without stopping. The route they had taken luckily did not lead them towards Asta's cities or town. Right now, the royal guards were definitely combing every corner of the capital because of them.
"We have been riding for the past four hours and it is so dark to see," Lysandra said as their horses made way towards the dark thickets of Asta. Her face was lined with tiredness as she pulled her horse to a halt.
Albertina also pulled the reins and turned to look at her sister. "What if father's men find us?" She asked. "The king won't give up so easily you know," she added.
Jumping down from her horse, Lysandra moved towards a clear spot where they could make camp for the night. "It is dangerous to move blindly in these woods at this time of the night. Besides, the king's guards might split up in search of us."
The last princess pouted her lips and climbed down from her horse. She carefully tied it to a tree before patting its mane. "If you say so Sandra. What if one of the guards jumps on us?" She asked. Out of instinct, she touched her sore neck.
Lysandra dropped the sack she was carrying on the ground and threw a glance at Albertina. "One man isn't that hard to handle right? We are two, remember?"
"We are like flies compared to them. Their strength is compared to none, their body is built for wa–"
"That is enough Tina." Lysandra interrupted her. "Let's try to escape Asta with our heads intact," she replied sorrowfully. It was still hard to digest the fact that her mother was dead. Slain by the king himself. "Caspian gave my mother something. I believe it will help us."
Striking two pieces of small rocks together for the umpteenth time, Albertina heaved as she wiped the perspiration dotting her face. She had thought that it was easy to set up a camp fire just like she read in stories.
"Give me that," Lysandra collected the rocks from her and started striking it. After a few strikes, sparks flew out and the woods lit up swiftly.
"You are way better than me," Albertina replied casually with a small smile. She then took a look around. Just like she read in stories.
Lysandra smiled and waved her sister off. "There's kerosene on the wood and my mother taught me." A huge lump settled on her throat which she couldn't swallow upon mentioning her mother.
"I am really sorry for your loss, Sandra. I would have gone to her room first and maybe all these wouldn't have happened," Albertina apologized. Sigh. "It's all my fault. But how could father be so heartless? Lady Victoria was a good woman. She never condenmed anyone irrespective of status," she whispered to herself.
Lysandra dropped the blanket she was holding and came to sit close to Albertina. Placing her hand on the girl's hair, she shook her head. "You don't have to be sorry Tina. Even if you had reached her sooner, it was meant to happen and father might have done something bad to you too." Sighs. "Father isn't the same man I grew up knowing."
Slowly, she lifted her head to look into Lysandra's eyes. Albertina tried to smile but the muscles around her mouth refused to obey her wishes. "My mother. She didn't want me to leave the castle," she sniffed. "I didn't want to stay there. Father has changed. Why is the Eastern prince feared so much?" She wondered.
Lysandra then made herself comfortable as she sat on the ground. "Remember grandma used to tell us about different princes that had ruled the five kingdoms. It's like this. The Northern kingdom, Everia. The Southern kingdom, Asta and the Eastern kingdom, Darkville."
"What about the other two kingdoms?" Albertina asked.
"They were lost in war. The Northern kingdom conquered the Western kingdom two centuries ago and inhabited the land while the Southern kingdom conquered the Middle East kingdom and this angered the Eastern kingdom." Lysandra then stood up to carry the blanket.
"Then father made an ally with the Eastern prince after claiming the throne as the heir," Albertina replied with a frown. "Did father use you as a prize for peace?"
Lysandra brought out a small enamel cooler and beckoned on Albertina to come over. "That is exactly what he did. But why would he do that?" She asked more to herself than to Tina. "Do you think the tales are true?"
Opening the enamel, Tina saw some piece of meat while Lysandra handed her a whole piece of bread. "I don't know, sister , but I think they are true."
"Then we will soon find out."
***
The campfire had turned cold as dawn fast approached. The chirping of crickets and sing-song of birds filled the woods. The sun was yet to fully rise from the East and the wetness of the morning due covered all plants.
Lysandra stretched her tired bones and rolled over the edge of the blanket she and Albertina had shared. A big yawn escaped her pale plump lips.
Her almond shaped eyes scanned the spot where they had tied the horses and saw that they were still there. Beside her was Albertina who was still fast asleep.
Quietly, Lysandra set up a fire to warm themselves and to heat up the leftover piece of meat before her sister would wake up. When she was done, she took some for herself and ate. Lysandra was less bothered about not bathing. Not that a river or stream was close by.
"We are still alive," Albertina murmured as she yawned loudly. Spotting drool on where she lay, she made a face. "Seriously?" She shook her head and picked up the water pouch on the ground.
"Good morning Tina," Lysandra wished from where she sat. Her hair was now braided in a ponytail with some fringes. She looked attractive in the black tunic which contrasted beautifully with her red hair.
Albertina waved her off and washed her face and mouth. Using the hem of her dress, she wiped it clean. "Good morning too, Sandra. When did you wake?" She questioned and came to sit beside her sister.
Her auburn hair was a mess. Much like a bird's nest but Albertina cared less about it. Her fair skin was having some red spots, probably from insect bites. While her there were purple bruises on her neck.
Lysandra pressed her lips together when she saw the bites and bruises. It wasn't good. "An hour ago."
"Oh no! I must have kept you waiting. I'm sorry about that," Tina replied in a jiffy. Although the ground was uncomfortable to lay on, she somehow enjoyed it. First time she slept but without a bed.
Sandra handed the already heated leftover bread and meat to Tina. Then she stood up to pack up their things to begin their journey.
When Tina was done, they mounted their horses and quietly made their way towards the unknown. Which was better than the King's guards catching up to them.
***
The sun was up high in the sky now. It has been five hours since Lysandra and Albertina left the thickets. They finally arrived at a small village.
"We should take shelter here tonight. We cannot keep traveling blindly. We need to ask questions," Lysandra said to her sister who gave her a quick nod. They both stopped at an inn. The villagers began throwing curious glances at them which Tina found weird.
Albertina felt uneasy at the people's attention on them. If the king's men were to come here, they would be caught easily.
"Lysandra, I think we should look for shelter in the next village. I don't like this place," she shivered.
Taking a look around their surrounding, Lysandra saw that there were lots of curious stares coming from the people, despite that they continue doing their basic activities. "Let's ask for directions then."
Stepping inside the inn, Lysandra spotted a shabby looking man sitting behind a wooden counter. His face immediately lit up upon setting eyes on her.
"Welcome to my inn young lady. How may I help you?" The man asked in excitement.
Lysandra took cautious steps towards the counter as could also tell that strangers don't frequent this place. "Is there a next village after this one?" She asked carefully.
"Well yes. Why do you ask m'lady?" The man asked.
He had addressed her as m'lady instead of my lady. It was a common way of distinguishing the wealthy and nobles from the poor low class people.
Low class individuals were expected to address a high class lady as m'lady. Only the rich and noble were allowed to use my lady. This got Lysandra suspicious. How did the man know she was a high class born? Because she was wearing a commoner's outfit.
"Not of your concern sir," Lysandra replied, catching the man off guard and a small frown appeared on his forehead. "I need a map. Do you have one?" She asked in a condescending tone.
The innkeeper suddenly felt small before the young lady and absentmindedly nodded his head. "Ye–ye—yes m'lady. A gold coin is all it costs," he replied with a shaky mouth.
Early this morning, a group of men in amour, bearing the king's emblem had come searching for two girls. They had threatened to slit his throat if they found out he was lying. After asking everyone in the village, they eventually left for the next one.
Lysandra brought out two gold coins from her pants pocket and placed them on the counter. "Tell me everything you know," she said without emotion.
Albertina bit her lips nervously and tried not to look at anyone. They were acting weird and her mind couldn't be at ease. Just then, Lysandra step out of the inn with a rolled scroll in her hand. "What is that?" She asked while handing the second horse reign to her.
"Father's men had come to this village early this morning. That explains their stares. We have to change directions because if we rely on luck at this point, we might be running into their hands," Lysandra replied with a cold voice. It seems the king was so intent in looking for them.
Spreading the map for both of them to see, Lysandra pointed to a small mark on the map, "this is where we are." Then she moved her index finger upward, "this is the path leading to the next village."
Albertina's face scrunched up in a tight frown. "But there are three paths before the next village," she said, pointing at the three lines leading to different routes.
"Exactly," Lysandra responded with a small smile. "Here," she pointed to the middle path, "leads to the next village." "This path," she points at the right path, "leads to the East but it's a road filled with bandits and unsafe." "The left path leads to the north. It's much safer but slow . We can sell our horses for a carriage ride." She beamed.
Albertina shook her head in agreement. "That is good. But why the North? We don't know anyone there and I overheard people saying it is cold and freezing," she asked in uncertainty.
"Neither do we know anyone in the East. We just have to go somewhere father can't reach us. The North is the only place and besides, Asta and Everia are not friends," Lysandra replied and carefully folded the map before tucking it into the sack of jewelry. "We don't have much time for choices Tina, the North is the only option. Remember I told you that my mother gave me something, it's a safe pass into the northern land."
"Really?!" Albertina's face lit up like Christmas light.
"Yes. Now, let's head for that path before the King's guards return."