Amnicity decided she hated traveling long distances in carriages. She determined long carriage rides to be romanticized in books, possibly written by a hermit, who had no understanding of how the holes in the ground put bruises on one's bottom. 

Perhaps we can improve the roads.  Make it as part of the updates for Tillen, or even just a matter of state.  Better roads would improve commerce.  Perhaps we should make a note for the next meeting.  Amnicity thought as her eyes drifted across the carriage to Lady Elry, who currently looked over a letter.  But not right now.

The depth of the Tillen update made Amnicity refrain from asking Lady Elry any more questions than necessary. She almost wished she had taken up Lady Toria's task of detailing a new frock instead of listening about starvation and death counts. Flashes of her mother dying amongst the people would randomly surface as Lady Elry spoke of Tillen.  The dark cloud that hovered right behind her main thoughts would rush forward before someone would say something to ease it back into a fog.  The worried eyes of Lady Elry and Lady Toria made Amnicity wonder if they knew the darkness churning lingering inside her.

Amnicity shifted her eyes towards the window. High General Lessure remained outside somewhere, riding high upon his horse. The horrid man had made of taking an apple from the food reserves when Amnicity glanced at him during their departure preparations. She could not stand him any longer and immediately tasked High General Ettore and Sir Henry with reviewing the kingdom's finances and the state of their recruits.  Amnicity did not trust the High General's Council, apart from High General Ettore, and needed them heavily monitored moving forward.

"What part are you gloating about now?" Lady Toria questioned, eyeing Her Highness while pulling the needle through a piece of cloth.

Amnicity leaned her head back against the pillow and closed her eyes with a smile.  "The part where fear spilled from his eyes at the thought of me handling the finances."

"After he took a bite of the apple?" Lady Toria almost growled.

"The very scene," Amnicity whispered in happiness.

Lady Toria's laughter filled the carriage.  "Oh, that was—"

"Not enough for security," Lady Elry interrupted, placing the paper on her lap. "You must be aware of your limitations. The Princess is in a great place of power, but the King's approval is still needed to take things away. Her Highness cannot simply throw about words without being able to provide actions to support them."

Amnicity's head shot up as she glared at Lady Elry.  "Do you dare limit my power?"

"Does the Princess dare to believe herself more powerful than the King?"  Lady Elry's eyebrow raised in a way the made Amnicity pout.

"I never would presume such heresy," Amnicity muttered. "I do not want to be caught unaware because if I am not vigilant, my death could be next."

The three sat in silence as they bumped along in the carriage.  Lady Toria bit her lip while staring at the princess.  

"Kill you?" Lady Toria scoffed.  "Not when you bring food while wearing one of my creations."  

Amnicity smirked at Lady Toria.  Lady Elry looked between the two women before nodding quickly.

"Yes—yes," Lady Elry nodded.  "No one would dare touch you, and if they tried, we could have Lady Toria somehow sew some light chainmail into your garments."

"But, we cannot tell the High Generals," Lady Toria sighed.  "I can just imagine Lessure's comments."

"It is not becoming of a lady to protect herself," Amnicity scoffed in a male voice.  

Lady Toria rolled her eyes while letting out a thankful sigh.  Seeing Her Highness make jokes renewed Lady Toria's hope that the princess would be okay. However, she feared for her Highness since noticing that her spirit did not always appear to be in her body.  Princess Amnicity performed all the necessary actions before falling under a veil of darkness as if uncertain if she should continue living.

Lady Toria's only means of helping the Princess became laughter. It began with mindless impersonations of the High Generals and slowly progressed. The jovial environment seemed helped, for a little while.

"Wha—" Amnicity started, moving the curtain aside, but then stopped speaking to gasp in wonder.

Below them, water stretched out before her.  At the edger, the water rose and rounded on itself until it morphed into white foam. The way it rose and fell looked almost like two loved ones separated and—Amnicity shut her eyes quickly.

Lady Elry and Lady Toria shared a worried glance.

"I have never been to the coast," Lady Elry commented calmly. "Poets and writers always commented upon the beauty of waves."

"The waves are majestic." Amnicity opened her eyes slowly to see another set of detached loved ones reunite.  Maybe I will be with you soon, Mother. 

The sudden stop of the carriage paused her reflection. High General Lessure's voice traveled on the air as he yelled about the delay before riding past her window. Lady Toria rolled her eyes, exhaling slowly, before returning to her task.

Muffled voices sounded before they heard Lessure speak.  "I am the High General Lessure of Henta. So, I do not require any special permissions to enter Tillen!"

Lady Elry stared at Amnicity as Amnicity focused on the waves.

The muffled response went on for some time—if five to seven waves could be considered as a long period of time.

Lessure's screams began to sound almost desperate.  "Believe me! There is an army behind me that will easily make my way. By the power bestowed upon me in the name of Vetus—"

"Princess," Lady Elry hissed.

"You will allow us entry," James finished in a tone that made Lady Elry almost certain someone could be dying today.

Amnicity closed her eyes for a moment to find her center before letting out a breath. Her prayer for strength echoed through her mind as she opened the door to the carriage. Guards and soldiers muttered their acknowledgments as she journeyed along the gravel.

A small smile graced her face to provide the proper political openness and amiability.

Amnicity would not show fear or distress to the group of five men with make-shift weapons made from farming tools. These men would not need farm tools anytime soon with their crops destroyed. 

Stopping suddenly, Amnicity turned to a guard standing beside her. "Have the food reserves brought to the front?" 

"Princess," the guard bowed. "I fear the road may be too narrow to move the food."

"Well, make the room. We will need something more peaceful than armed soldiers for them to allow us entry," she retorted in a clipped tone.

"As you wish," he bowed and hurried away to relay the command. 

Amnicity heard High General Lessure's voice rise again. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned to look upon the waves.

Once they see the food and me, we will gain entry. It will be simple. The road looks to have enough room. Though, the drop does look steep.  Amnicity took a step closer to the edge of the cliff, letting the tip of her shoe release the gravel to topple down. Very steep. Would it be so wrong if I slipped? Everyone could report it as an accident. However, the pain would not be pleasant.

Dark fog clouded within her mind. It would only take one misstep—just one. Amnicity watched more gravel fall as her stomach clenched to keep her where she stood.

Not now. Your people need you.  A soft voice from within made the fog abate. 

Amnicity took a cautious step back. Mother would not want me to follow her so soon.  There is more to be done.

"I have a purpose," Amnicity whispered.

She pressed her hands together until she felt pain within her fingers.  Amnicity let another sigh out, feeling once again within control. Then, feeling eyes on her, Amnicity turned to see the curtain to her carriage close.  The princess let a small smile pass on her lips before turning back to the men and walking forward.

"Gentlemen," Amnicity called, turning her body towards the commotion. "What seems to be the problem?"

James did his best not to scowl.

"Princess Amnicity," he bowed. "There are no difficulties. Please return to the carriage. We will be on our way to Tillen shortly."

Amnicity's shoulders rose slightly at his condescending tone, intensifying James's scowl. High General Lessure preferred Princess Amnicity when she only allowed herself to be concerned only with dresses, balls, and romance. Her role remained as a person to secure a kingship, not to interfere with matters of state. She required reminding of her role.

"Princess Amnicity," the Tillen guards bowed.

"We were not aware of your presence," a guard to the far-right stated, staring at James, who refused to look away.

Amnicity pressed her lips together, scanning the men before her. After a moment, her eyes settled upon the gentleman in the middle. He looked familiar. Amnicity's eyes instantly lit, recalling their interaction at the palace.

"I will apologize that my High General did not provide the proper announcement of my presence as is custom," Amnicity smiled, inclining her head with a slight bow. "Mr Pralker, it is wonderful to see you are well.  Once again, I am sorry for my previous rudeness at the palace."

Besden Pralker startled slightly before bowing his head. He believed she would have forgotten him by now.

"Thank you for your concern, and it is okay.  I did not know how important the—" His words were interrupted by Amnicity.

"I am sorry to interrupt you, sir, but as things stand, we both know that fabric means little.  It could never compare to what all of us have lost," Amnicity sighed.  The men bowed their heads while nodding.  Amnicity forced herself to smile.  "Mr Pralker, would you be so kind as to introduce me to the rest of these brave men?"

"It would be my honor, Princess Amnicity," Besden smiled, motioning to his far right. "That is Mr Padden Cape; he is a farmer on the edge of the Vetusian-Judian border."

Amnicity inclined her head politely.  "A pleasure, Mr Cape. How are your family and farm?"

"My family was saved, but the farm got destroyed in the raids," Padden shrugged. "We was expecting help and got none to help secure the border from those—"

"This is Mr Aden Quist," Besden interrupted, already aware of the foul words Padden could muster concerning the raiders. "His family has a few boats for fishing; they do a lot of trade and actually warned us of the coming raiders when they saw some smoke rising further down the coast in Jude."

James shifted slightly at the insight. Hopefully, silly women had the memory capabilities of birds.

"A pleasure, Mr Quist. Is your family okay?" Amnicity tilted her head.

"Pleasure is mine, Princess. We are alright. Some cuts and other hurts, but we're survivors," Aden Quist nodded.

"I'm glad to hear so," Amnicity turned back to Besden for her next introduction.

"This is Mr Din Porter and Mr Ade Porter. They work on their family farm, just over these hills actually," Besden finished with a light laugh as if he said a joke, but no one else seemed to understand it.

"Nice to meet you, gentlemen. How are your crops?" Amnicity watched their reactions intently.

"Destroyed from the first raid," Din shrugged as he absentmindedly brushed dirt from his pants. "Luckily, none of the family got killed."

"Very true," Amnicity nodded. "Apart from my mother, what have the total casualties been?"

"Not certain yet," Besden sighed. "Some say not more than 100, others more. We haven't been able to locate all the farming families. Not sure if they ran, or other stuff occurred."

Amnicity nodded her head, knowing no one wished to speak of what the other stuff could be.

"There have been terrible losses here that we only partly understand. I have come to represent my family and all of Vetus.  We express our condolences and will provide support in any manner possible. To begin, there is a carriage of food to help compensate for the lost fields. It is also our wish to provide troops to help stabilize and rebuild your town." Amnicity turned to motion towards the slowly moving cart.

"You can keep your troops," Padden scoffed. "We don't need any more armed strangers in our town. That's what we've been telling this man here."

Amnicity observed the severe look in their eyes before nodding.  "As you wish. Would it be possible for me to enter with my ladies? I wish to see your town and my mother."

The gentlemen moved slightly in front of her, exchanging glances.

"You want to take her back?" Besden asked.

Amnicity nodded.  She swallowed before speaking.  "Yes, I—I want to provide her a burial with our ancestors."

"You trust them to get her back safe?" Padden asked, motioning his head towards the guards and troop behind them.

Amnicity observed the men once again for a moment before turning back to look at James's scowling face.  She felt her heart clench, and her palms began to sweat at the implication of this man's words.  

Amnicity turned back to them with a forced smile.  "As much as I have trusted Tillen in your honorable care of her body."

The corner of Padden's lips twitched slightly at the compliment.  "You and your ladies can come." He nodded.

"What about the cart?" Amnicity asked, looking over her shoulder to check on the cart's progress.

"Yes," Besden agreed. "We are thankful for the kindness."

"Will, one of you gentlemen, be kind enough to drive it, or should we unarm the guard?" Amnicity's tone remained pleasant as she rested her hands softly in front of her.

"Unarm him? Princess, you will need guards," James interjected.

The men exchanged a look, causing Din to snort.

"High General Lessure, has listening always been a difficult task for you? These men have made it clear that armed men will not be allowed into their town. For their part, it is understandable, as the armed men you had chosen did not do their jobs.  So, my mother is dead, and their town is in disarray. Now, they have granted me passage into their town, and since they are still my citizens, I trust in their abilities to protect me. Please send for the ladies, and where is the cart?"

High General Lessure tipped towards his heels slightly.  His lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at the princess.

"High General," Amnicity prompted, turning to him. "Ah, one of my demands is met. I can see the cart now."

Din smirked and crossed his arms.

"Princess Amnicity gave you an order," Padden smiled. "Better go get those ladies, as she asked. Ade will drive the cart in."

"Guard Mazen," James called over his shoulder. "Have Lady Elry and Lady Toria brought here."

"Yes, High General." Mazen bowed before leaving.

"Look, the guards can do something," Din laughed.

Amnicity smiled in relief as the cart came to a stop behind them.  "We will no longer require your services to drive the cart. Mr Porter will be taking the cart into town from here. Thank you for your assistance."

Amnicity cleared her throat on seeing Mr Ade Porter smirking at James when walking past. The tightness in his jaw told her enough of what could be to come if she did not intervene.

"High General, you are to maintain the border with your guards.  This town is to remain closed until I return."

James bowed.  "As you wish, Princess."

"Ladies," Amnicity acknowledged on seeing Lady Elry and Lady Toria behind her. "Shall we begin our journey, gentlemen?"

"Of course, Your Highness," Besden smiled, motioning for the Princess and her ladies to join their fold.

"Mr Porter?" Amnicity turned to see Mr Ade Porter holding the reigns of the carriage.

He waved in response.  "I will follow behind."

Amnicity nodded, taking the first step forward. She felt awkward. Amnicity did not stumble, as she most likely had as a baby, but she felt a certain amount of pride in securing passage into Tillen on her own. Perhaps, she could do this after all.

"Mr Quist," Amnicity started after they were a safe distance from the High General. "You saw smoke in the region of Jude?"

She knew such questions could only be asked when a safe distance allowed the waves and carriage to conceal their conversation from untrustworthy ears on the border.

"Yes, Princess, smoke rose high over a town we used to trade with," he sighed.  "I hope they are okay."

"You trade with Judians?" Lady Elry asked in shock.

"Yes, milady, we aren't really the type that can have pride over who we trade with. Especially since the other Hentian towns don't seem to want to trade with us anymore, they have been saying we're nothing but trouble for a while," Mr Quist responded with a slight hint of painful bitterness in his voice.

"Did the King and Queen know of this?" Amnicity asked.

"We told the High General," Aden shrugged. "He didn't seem to care much, and then we sent the letter to the King. The only good thing out of that was Queen Christaline, but—we are sorry for your loss Princess."

Amnicity nodded as they rounded a bend surrounded by patchy, burnt grass. Before them, a town came into view. Smoke did not rise to signify a disturbance, but the stacks of bodies, waiting to be buried by the men shoveling to make their resting place, did.

"We thought about burning the raiders' bodies so we wouldn't get any diseases," Padden sighed. "But, the elders thought it best to be dignified.  They did wrong, but all lives are sacred to the Lord."

"They are wise," Amnicity nodded. "I will tell my father about how Tillen brought pride to Vetus. It will be one of the many things I will be able to tell him with honor."

The men visually straightened at her words.  

"Would you like to see the Queen?" Besden's concerned gaze fell on Amnicity.

"No, we all have personally felt loss, and I cannot be so selfish as to tend to mine before yours. Show me the state of my people."

"As you wish," Besden smiled, exchanging a small glance with Padden.

***

Poor Tillen... On to part 2

Last edited: 6/6/21