More Than A Princess

Elit Town

It was relatively easy to get into Elit town. Easier than Callan would have imagined. There was no crouching, no crawling, no furtive hiding. In fact, they breezed right in as if they belonged in there. 

Elit town was like an entirely different world from Norm town. If Norm town was filled with tall buildings and landscaped gardens in between, Elit town was filled with landscaped gardens, manicured lawns and large detached homes dotting the landscape. And the streets were empty. There were hardly anyone around. Granted, it was midday and everyone is either at work or at home or whatever it is that the Elits do all day. 

“See? Easy to get in,” Sevda was bragging as they walked around, admiring the luxurious homes, the manicured lawns, the beautiful gardens. 

“So, now what?” Lyvia asked. Callan and Sevda had been tightlipped about what they plan to do. All they told them was that they need to get into Elit town and look for someone because the police are after Callan. 

“We go that way,”Sevda said. He was walking a bit closer to Henry. The prince didn’t notice and if he did, he didn’t act as if he minded. They all followed the tall white haired halfling. 

Callan fell into step with Lyvia. Henry had finally stopped dogging her every step and seemed to be enjoying Sevda’s company. Jinna trailed slowly behind them. 

“What is going on Callan? Why are we even here?” Lyvia asked him. 

Callan glanced around. Jinna was quite a distance back and Sevda and Henry are far in front. 

“We are tracking down the killer. Remember Drago Margie told me to track down the killer? That’s because if I don’t, I will be arrested for the crime, and the police is after me,” he told her quietly.

Lyvia was perplexed. And worried. If Callan got arrested, she and Jinna will be literally stranded. Stuck with Prince Annoying. She shuddered at the thought. 

“What happens if you get caught? Will they throw you into a dungeon?” she asked, curious. She couldn’t remember what happened to criminals in this world. 

He told her. He would be banished to the Wasteland and his powers stripped. He will be forced to survive in the harsh wasteland without magic. She was appalled. Not nice and kind Callan. He would not survive even a day there. 

“Don’t worry, I am sure Sevda will help us track down the killer and you will be save,” she said confidently. She eyed the tall halfling. He looked strong and dependable. After a few more minutes of walking and they finally arrived in front of an imposing mansion with a tall ornate gates fronting it.

“Here we are,” Sevda said. 

Callan walked up to him. “What are we supposed to do? Rush in and confront her?” he whispered to Sevda. He had no idea what he was supposed to do. He wasn’t as powerful as an Elit and he is certain he couldn’t win a magic duel with an Elit. 

Sevda laughed. “You are a funny man. No, no. Let Drago Margie handle this Elit. All you need to do is to cast a web and convey this to her,” he said.

“What? Then were was absolutely no need for all of us to be here, isn’t it? I could have done that at home!” Callan spluttered angrily. What is this Sevda doing? He had put all of them at risk by making them come all the way into enemy territory.

Sevda sighed and gave him a long suffering look. “I am not sure you understand. You can’t cast a web from your home. A Norm is not allowed to cast any web past the border into Elit town,” he explained slowly, as if speaking to someone who is mentally challenged. 

While they were standing in front of the gates, Sevda and Callan whispering to each other furiously, the gate swung open silently. Lyvia hurried to interrupt them and gestured to the open gates.

“Er, guys. Someone is coming out,” she said. 

They both turned and looked at the gate. It is now wide open but there was no one there. 

“Oh dang. Quick!” Sevda grabbed Callan and Henry. They disappeared, leaving Lyvia and Jinna gaping at the empty space in shock.

“They left us?!! What??!!” Lyvia spluttered. She grabbed Jinna and looked for a place to hide and decided to crouch behind a particularly thick bush beside the gates. Callan will get it from her. How dared he disappear and left them behind. In front of a dangerous killer’s house, no less. A magical killer at that too. 

She held her breath and closed her mouth. She gestured to Jinna to do the same. They crouched and tried to make themselves as small as possible behind the bushes. They heard footsteps walking out. She wanted to peek but dared not raise her head in fear of being spotted. 

“Cowards. I know who you are and I will come for you,” a female voice said. Then her footsteps retreated, going back inside. 

Lyvia and Jinna stayed crouched behind the bushes for a long time, not daring to move. They crouched there till their legs went numb before Lyvia tentatively raised her head. The gates were closed. There was no one there. It was nearing twilight and the sky was a blazing orange. 

“Come…let’s find our way back,” she told Jinna and they crawled out from the bushes but stayed off the road. “Lets walk behind the bushes, just to be safe,” she told Jinna. 

They made their way slowly past prickly bushes, branches and thorns scratching at their clothes, their arms and their faces. Lyvia had no idea where they were and no idea how to get back but the need to get as far away as possible from that killer’s house. After about an hour of walking, scrambling through thick bushes and vegetation, with the road still in sight, the sky has darkened considerably. 

They stopped and Lyvia looked around to get their bearings. She had no idea where they were. Everything looked the same. Stretches of manicured lawns. Landscaped gardens. Trees. Flowers. Large luxurious houses. Some behind tall imposing gates. Some merely surrounded by tall hedges. 

“Oh princess. What are we to do?” Jinna said, tears welling in her eyes. She looked frightened. Lyvia took a deep breath. She must stay strong. If only she had some magic and could alert Callan to come get them. 

“Let’s continue walking. I am sure we can get out of here,” she said bravely. She grabbed Jinna’s hand and they continued to walk. They just need to keep moving and stay out of sight, she thought. 

Each time they notice someone nearby, they darted behind the trees or bushes. They plodded along until it was dark. It was now night. Stars dotted the skies and moonlight lighted the way. Jinna suddenly stopped and sat down on the dirt ground.

“I can’t walk anymore princess. I am tired and hungry,” she said. Lyvia sat down with her. Her stomach growled. Her throat is parched. They have not had a drink or any food since…she can’t even remember when was the last time they had eaten or a drink of water. Now, they are thoroughly lost. 

She didn’t know what to do anymore. She leaned on Jinna. 

“Let’s hope Callan finds us,” she said. They both fell asleep, leaning against each other, under a blanket of stars.